Where Is the Love?

GodThoughtsWired!            Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

"where is the love"

"What's wrong with the world...
people livin' like they aint go no mamas...
Father help us,
send some guidance from above...
it just aint the same...
new days are strange, is the world insane...
The truth is kept secret,
its swept under the rug,
if you never know truth then
you'll never know love..."
-Black Eyed Peas*

Today's GodThoughtsWired! comes to you compliments of my teenage daughters, Alison  (15) and Jennifer (14).  They are the one's that introduced me to the song, Where Is the Love, by the Black Eyed Peas.**

The youth of today are, perhaps, more in touch with the signs of the times in this "age of delusion"  than many of our churches and preachers:

"It just ain't the same...
new days are strange,
is the world insane?"

They ask, "Is the world insane?"  My answer is, "Yeah, pretty much."  However, it's not a surprise to Jesus.  Along time ago He anticipated the days in which we live and declared,

"Because they did not receive
the love of the truth so as to be saved. 
For this reason I (God) will send
upon them a deluding influence
so that they will believe what is false..."2 Thessalonians 2:10-11

A global rejection of God's truth is taking place right before our very eyes and the result?  The Bible calls it "delusion."  The Black Eyed Peas call it "insanity." 

Amazing, isn't it?  Rock-n-roll bands asking God to "send some guidance from above" not realizing that...

HE ALREADY HAS.

*For the entire lyrics to the song, click on LYRICS.

**To watch the video, click on WHERE IS THE LOVE.

For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, click here.

For more information about the author of GodThoughts, click here.

THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT... REVEALED!

GodThoughtsWired!          Monday, November 29, 2010 An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT... REVEALED! "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11 Last week I talked about "The Secret of Contentment" and how some of the greatest Bible characters had learned how to be "content" regardless of circumstance. SO WHAT'S THE SECRET! Last week I said, "The answer is perfectly described in a single verse somewhere in the book of Proverbs. I'll give a FREE COPY OF MY LATEST BOOK, The Bible Says, Volume 1, to the first 10 people to email me the correct answer." And the answer I was looking for is...PROVERBS 3:5! "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." The ability to trust in God no matter what's happening in life, is the key to contentment. The apostle Paul had "learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am," because he had learned to put his trust in God and not rely on his own understanding. BUT WAIT!  I learned something new from three otherGTW! subscribers.  Proverbs 19:23 (NIV) says, "The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble."(bold mine) CONGRATULATIONS to Geri from Seattle, Washington, USA, who answered Proverbs 3:5. And toSandra in Lawson, NSW, Australia; Joseph in North Carolina, USA; Chris in Recife, PE, Brazil,;and Arnold from Ashland, Kentucky, USA who alerted me to Proverbs 19:23. "And Job died an old man, and full of days,  well satisfied with life."  -Job 42:17, bold mine How 'bout you? For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, click here. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, click here.

Looking to the REWARD!

GodThoughtsWired!         Wednesday, November 24, 2010

An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

The GodThoughts Annual Report will be available in mid-December. This report discloses all pertinent information about the GodThougts Ministry including GodThoughtsWired! GodThoughtsLive! and The Bible Says Ministry. For your FREE COPY* simply email me your snail mail address and type in the subject box, FREE COPY.*
*LIMITED TO THE 1ST 1000 REQUEST ONLY.

looking to the reward!

"Considering the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures of Egypt;
for he (Moses) was looking to the reward."Hebrews 11:26

God is a "rewarder of those who seek Him " (Hebrews 11:6).  The theology of "rewards" is significant in the New Testament (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  "Misthos," translated, "reward," is found in nearly half (thirteen) of the books of the New Testament writings.  Jesus first used this term in Matthew 5:12 by promising "great reward" in Heaven for those who are persecuted for His sake.

And then in the book of Revelation Jesus proclaims, "My reward is with Me" (Revelation 22:12) in reference to restituition for the works of His children done on earth. 

Additionally, Paul makes it crystal clear that each Christian will be rewarded according to their individual labor for the Lord.  "Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor" (1 Corinthians 3:8).

Therefore, do not throw
away your confidence,
which has great reward."-Hebrews 10:35, bold mine

For more information about the ministry of
Dr. Brad Reiches and GodThoughtsLive! click on:
The GodThoughts Channel.

CELEBRATING SIN!

GodThoughtsWired!            Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% CELEBRATING SIN! "Enjoy the passing pleasures of sin..."Hebrews 11:25 I'll bet you didn't know the Bible said THAT!  Go ahead, look it up!  See!  I told ya!  It's just another way of saying the motto that "everyone of consenting age in any land knows," "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." As I sit here re-reading the article from the USA Today Newspaper* whose entire premise is the celebration of sin, I weep for the United States of America. The slogan is seven years old now, the article tells me, The key moment came in 2004 when Laura Bush appeared on the Tonight Show after a Sin City visit. Jay Leno asked if she'd seen the Chippendales male strippers.  Her response, worth more than $1 million in advertising; "Jay, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." "There are no rules here," gushes one satisfied customer.  "Nowadays, visitors may feel let down if they haven't done what they wouldn't do back home," proclaims the marketing director of a "sin club" where clients pay $400.00 per hour for..."sin." "The city's mayor, a former defense lawyer for gangsters," soberly laments that, "The real estate market is in the dumps, but he thinks new attractions, such as the downtown Mob Museum-due in fall 2011-will lure visitors." Ahh, the celebration of sin.  By now, I trust that many of you are aware that the Bible verse at the top of the page? from Hebrews 11:25?  I took it completely out of context!  Did you look it up?   Well, how 'bout ending with a couple of Bible verses that are completely "in" context: "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 16:25 And, "The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23 Always has been...Always will be.  Now there's a slogan for ya'. *quotations taken from, The USA Today newspaper, Friday, November 12, 2010. p.5D. For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, click here. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, click here.

DID YOU KNOW??? 5

GodThoughtsWired!             Tuesday, November 16, 2010 Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% DID YOU KNOW??? 5  "Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise." Ephesians 5:15 DID YOU KNOW...That the theory of "Global Warming" is LAUGHABLE?  No, really!  The concept of global warming is a belief that the earth is "heating up" because of an increase in the concentration ofgreenhouse gases  around the world.  One such "greenhouse gas" is  nitrous oxide which, of course is...LAUGHING GAS! Another misnomber associated with the theory of global warming is that an increase of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is bad.  My studies of the experts in the field, on both sides of the debate, indicate that it would take a MONUMENTAL INCREASE OF CO2 that would take roughly AN ETERNITY to bring about (CO2 is currently 3 parts per million of our air.  It would need to increase to 1% of the atmosphere to become even slightly dangerous.  For example, in submarines, men breathe at least 100 or more times greater what we breathe...that's 300 parts per million, or .00003%). Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is what makes plants grow.  The more CO2, the more fruits and vegetables.  So, the evidence suggests to me that we need more CO2, not less... at least for the next 100,000 years or so. So, the next time someone asks your opinion on "Global Warming" do what I do.  Tell  'em ... "IT'S LAUGHABLE!" -For more info about the GodThoughts Ministry clickhere. -For mor info about the author of the GodThoughts Ministry click here.

DID YOU KNOW??? 3

GodThoughtsWired!             Thursday, November 11, 2010

Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

DID YOU KNOW?

3

 "Be careful how you walk,
not as unwise men, but as wise."
Ephesians 5:15

DID YOU KNOW...with all the ruckus about one misguided pastor threatening to burn Qur'ans on 9/11/10, the U.S. army didn't hesitate to burn  Bibles in Afghanistan because they were upsetting to local Muslims?  See for yourself by clicking on CNN World.

So, let me see if I've got this right, it's not ok to burn Qur'ans because it would be offensive to Muslims, however, it is ok to burn bibles so as not to offend Muslims?  Yeah, I think I've got it right.

DID YOU KNOW...that here in Sodom & Gomo...I mean the San Francisco Bay Area, the decision was recently made to install condom machines in the San Francisco County Jail.

The San Francisco Chronicle notes, "Although sex among inmates is technically illegal, the sheriff's department decided to install the machines anyway."  Sheriff Michael Hennessey acknowledges that the decision "may be controversial," but says the larger health-education message is important.

So let me see if I've got this right, we are helping to facilitate the "illegal activity" of prisoners who are in jail because of "illegal activity."*

Hmmm...

*click on DELUSION to read for yourself.

-click here to learn more about the GodThoughts Ministry.

-click here to learn more about the author of the GodThoughts Ministry.

DID YOU KNOW??? 1

GodThoughtsWired!                 Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

DID YOU KNOW???

1

"Be careful how you walk,
 not as unwise men, but as wise."Ephesians 5:15

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Rick Warren recently spoke at an ISNA conference? (The Islamic Society of North America) The ISNA is officially tied to the Muslim Brotherhood whose official motto is:

"Allah is our objective.
The Prophet(Mohommed) is our leader.
Qur'an is our law.
Jihad is our way.
Dying in the way of Allah
is our highest hope."

And the founder of the ISNA, Hassan Al-Banna, was a strong supporter of Adolph Hitler.  Oh, back to Warren.  At this conference he opened up by saying,"As-salamu Alaykum.  I come to you today deeply humbled and honored by this invitation...I am not interested in interfaith dialogue, I am interested in interfaith projects." 

Hmmm...Please click on NISA to see for yourself.

AND DID YOU KNOW THAT...At the inauguration of now President, Barak Obama, Warren addressed the deity to whom he was praying as, "The compassionate and merciful one?"  On the surface it seems harmless enough until you realize that this is the invocation that starts every chapter of the Qur'an except one.

AND DID YOU KNOW THAT...In that same prayer Warren equated the Jesus of the Bible with the Jesus of the Qu'ran when he referred to Jesus as "Isa?"

AND DID YOU KNOW THAT...In that same prayer Warren skillfully avoided closing the prayer "in Jesus name?"

So...Did you know?  Please click on PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER to see for yourself.

There's just something about that Name! 2

GodThoughtsWired!               Thursday, November 4, 2010

An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

there's just something
about that name!

2

A couple weeks ago I wrote about a very exciting and poweful work that the Holy Spirit is doing in our local church.  As a reminder:

"I challenged our congregation to...use the name of Jesus whenever they are referring to God. WHAT A DYNAMIC DIFFERENCE! We've begun a "There's Just Something About That Name" testimony time every Sunday morning after worship. Powerful!  Will you join us? Do you have the courage? Seriously, in the end - every knee will bow and every mouth will confess the Lordship of Jesus anyway...Why not start now!"

Well, I'm THRILLED! to report that we are definitely on to something!  This past Sunday's "Testimony Time" was SENSATIONAL!!!

EXAMPLE 1:  We are no longer allowing people to take the name of the Lord in vain, without consequence! 

"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."Exodus 20:7

When somebody uses the name of "Jesus Christ" or "Christ" or "God" in a blasphemous way, we simply reply, "Jesus has nothing to do with this," or "Jesus isn't responsible for this" or...you get the point, I hope?

EXAMPLE 2:  Our youth pastor's wife is a Drama teacher at a local Junior College and is involved in an upcoming community play.  When she realized that the name of Jesus was going to be used "innappropriately" she spoke up!  Very sensitively and gently she simply said to the director, in front of the entire cast, "Do we really need to take God's name in vain here?  Does it really add any value to the scene?  My relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in life and, to be honest, I'm offended by this."  And you know what?  THEY TOOK IT OUT!

WAY TO GO NIKKI!

She wasn't being beligerent, or arrogant, or judgemental...She was just being honest, and she was taking the opportunity that God provided her...

To lift up the name of Jesus!

How 'bout you?

Meet Phil the Pharisee

GodThoughtsWired!            Wednesday, November 3, 2010

An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

meet phil the pharisee

"To the weak I became weak,
that I might win the weak;
I have become all things to all men,
so that I may by all means save some."1 Corinthians 9:22

Yesterday's GT was entitled, I'm a Giants Fan...But a Jesus Fanatic!  The point of the message was that, while I enjoy baseball, "on a scale of 1-10, in terms of what's truly important in my life, the Giants and the World Series aren't even on the scale" (see GTWired!, November 2, 2010).

And, as I'm apt to do, I provided a visual illustration from the pulpit to contrast that which ultimately means nothing (the Giants winning the World Series), and that which means everything (my relationship with Jesus).

Like the Apostle Paul before me (Olympic games, boxing, running, see above context 1 Corinthians 9:22-27; see also, 2 Timothy 2:5), I've found sports llustrations to be powerful teaching tools.  Having said that, I'm sad to report that phariseeism* is still alive and well in the body of Christ.

Please note the following response from one of our GT subscribers:

"You made a poor choice to showboat in the pulpit. On the face of it, the ministry to which you are called would seem to preclude this...guess not...Your obvious affection for the Giants should not have intruded in the pulpit ...Holding on to the world with one hand

and on to the things of God with the other
 is tough. My prayers are with you
as you agonize over these choices."
-Phil the Pharisee*
(name changed to protect the guilty)

Very sadly, I'm reminded of Matthew 11:19,

"The Son of Man came eating and drinking,
and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man
and a drunkard, a friend
of tax collectors and sinners!'
Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."

"Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." 

Indeed!

YES, I'M A GIANTS FAN... BUT I'M A JESUS FANATIC!

GodThoughtsWired!              Tuesday, November 2, 2010

An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

YES, i'M A GIANTS FAN...
BUT I'M A JESUS FANATIC!

"The world is passing away,
and also its lusts; but the one who
does the will of God lives forever."1 John 2:17

I live in Moraga, California, just a tunnel and a bridge away from AT&T Park, the home of the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants Baseball Team.  For those of you who are baseball fans you might find it amusing that I preached this past Sunday morning in an Orange shirt, Black pants and shoes, and a full beard - dyed Jet Black.  :)

If you haven't guessed by now...I'm a Giants fan, and this is their first championship EVER, since arriving in San Francisco in 1958.  As I'm sure you can imagine, there is quite a "party-like" atmosphere here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and a formal parade is scheduled for tomorrow morning beginning at 11am.

Soooo, on Sunday morning I alerted our congregation to a "scheduling conflict."  You see, Major League Baseball had scheduled Game 4 of the World Series this past Sunday night, at the same time as our monthly Communion Service!  Sooo, being such a Giants fan, here's what I told them:

"As much of a fan I am of the Giants,
I hope you know that on a scale of 1-10,
in terms of what's truly important in my life,
the Giants and the World Series aren't even
on the scale.  I pray that you know,
I would never, EVER! allow something so relatively trivial to interfere with ANYTHING having to do with my relationship with God."

Yes, I'm a Giants fan...

but I'm a Jesus FANATIC!