THE FATAL FLAW OF ATHEISTS & PROGRESSIVES 1

GodThoughtsWired!                 Thursday, July 21, 2011 (originally published September 17, 2007) Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% THE FATAL FLAW OF ATHEISTS & PROGRESSIVES 1 "The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first-wanting to be the center-wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan; and that was the sin he taught the human race..." -C.S. Lewis, The Case for Christianity, p.43 There is one question in this life that must, and ultimately will be answered by every single one of us:  "Will you live this life for the glory of God (the purpose for which we were created, see Isaiah 43:7), or for your own glory?" "What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could "be like gods" - could set up on their own as if they had created themselves- be their own masters-invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God." C.S. Lewis, The Case for Christianity, p.43 The United States was originally established for the glory of God, thus it became the most blessed country the world has ever known...but no longer. "And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history-money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, slavery-the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.  The reason why it can never succeed is this.  God made us...A car is made to run on petrol, and it won't run properly on anything else... God can't give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it isn't there.  There's no such thing."-C.S. Lewis, The Case for Christianity, p.43 Karl Marx was wrong. Today's GodThoughts come to you from the majestic shores of Edgewood, South Lake Tahoe. One of my two most favorite devotional places in the whole world. Technology is amazing, isn't it? For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, clickhere. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, clickhere. Please click to follow us on: Twitter,  Facebook,  Youtube,  Fanbase PLEASE prayerfully consider supporting the GodThoughts Ministry (click on "donate" button below). The cost to provide this FREE Ministry world-wide in 2011 is $59,100.00 (see Annual Report for full details).

THOUGHTS ON FAITH

GodThoughtsWired!                     Thursday, July 14, 2011 An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% THOUGHTS ON FAITH Faith & Doubt Faith is believing in the trustworthiness of God even when circumstances appear to contradict it.-pastor Brad I have a question for you...is yours a life of faith diversified by doubt?  Or, is yours a life of doubt...diversified by faith?  In other words, do you basically walk by faith...or sight? (see 2 Corinthians 5:7).  Do you generally put your trust in God's word and thereby act?  Or do you generally do your own thing and ask God to bless it? Please notice that the subtitle is, "Faith AND Doubt," as opposed to "faith OR doubt."  You see, I believe thatbiblical faith is not necessarily the absence of doubt, but the ability to act on our beliefs despite the doubt.  So...back to the original question. Faith is the ability to act on your belief in spite of your doubt.-pastor Brad The Bible teaches that we cannot please God without faith (see Hebrews 11:6).  And Jesus queried whether or not there would actually be any real faith left on the earth upon His return (see Luke 18:8).  How sad. Faith is the belief that God is good in spite of apparent contradictions. -pastor Brad Biblical faith is not the blind leading the blind or vain superstition.  Christian faith is a willingness to believe (put your trust in), based on the sufficiency of the evidence (see Hebrews 11:1, KJV).  The man says, "I do believe; help my unbelief" (see Mark 9:24), and God honors his request!  I love it!  God never asks us to be perfect...just willing. Remember the words of Billy Graham, "Have you ever seen God? I've never seen God. I've never seen the wind. I've felt the effects of the wind. But I've never SEEN the wind. There's a mystey to it." For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, clickhere. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, clickhere. PLEASE prayerfully consider supporting the GodThoughts Ministry (click on "donate" button below). The cost to provide this FREE Ministry world-wide in 2011 is $59,100.00 (see Annual Report for full details).

ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST LESSONS

GodThoughtsWired!               Wednesday, July 13, 2011 An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST LESSONS I believe that one of life's greatest lessons is: You can learn whatever you need to learn to become whatever you want to be. While it's true that there are exceptions (i.e. at 6'6" - 250lbs. I was never going to become a jockey no matter how much I learned), the principle itself is generally true.  Thus, I have become a student of those things that are most important to me. Thus, first and foremost, I am a student of the Bible: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."-2 Timothy 2:15 Secondly, I am a student of God: "That I may know Him..." -Philippians 3:10 Thirdly, I am a student of myself: “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; who can understand it? ...He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered." -Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 28:26 In addition, I have become a student of "the schemes of the devil," "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil...and do not give the devil an opportunity." -Ephesians 6:11; 4:27 Along with being a student of my wife and children, there are several other things in life that I also study. I'm curious... What are you a student of? For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, clickhere. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, clickhere. PLEASE prayerfully consider supporting the GodThoughts Ministry (click on "donate" button below). The cost to provide this FREEMinistry world-wide in 2011 is $59,100.00 (see Annual Report for full details).

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?

GodThoughtsWired!                   Friday, July 8, 2011 Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? WRONG QUESTION! "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you— unless indeed you fail the test?" -2 Corinthians 13:5 I think the biggest problem in the world today is: PEOPLE WHO CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS BUT DON'T KNOW JESUS. Jesus Himself said, "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters"(Luke 11:23).  So, are you "with Jesus," or against Him?  How do you know?  How can you tell? Jesus also said that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12).  Sowhen was the last time you were persecutedbecause of your relationship with Jesus? "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." -John 15:19 Can you give, oh, let's say, three quick examples of how the above verse applies in your life?  At one point in Jesus' ministry He asked the question, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' but don't do what I say" (see Luke 6:46).  Would Jesus have reason to ask you the same question?   Jesus also said that "many" call themselves Chrisians who are not (see Matthew 7:21-27).  What makes you think that you are not among those "many?" Ultimately, the Bible teaches us that who you think you are isn't nearly as significant as what the"fruit" of your life says about you. "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." -1 John 2:3-4 So, have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, clickhere. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, clickhere. PLEASE prayerfully consider supporting the GodThoughts Ministry (click on "donate" button below). The cost to provide this FREE Ministry world-wide in 2011 is $59,100.00 (see Annual Report for full details).

100% PROOF OF ALIENS... ON THE EARTH TODAY! 4

GodThoughtsWired!             Wednesday, July 6, 2011 Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% For a FREE COPY of this series in the form of a BROCHURE that you can share with others, simply reply to this email, write ALIEN BROCHURE in the subject box and send.  Please be sure to include your mailing address. 100% PROOF OF ALIENS... ON THE EARTH TODAY! 4 Peter had come to grips with the reality that as a follower of Jesus, he was a stranger on the earth.  His citizenship was now in Heaven.  Is it any wonder then, that it was Peter that God used to describe the disciple of Christ as an "alien?" In reference to the Hebrews of the Old Testament, God says in Acts 7:6 that, "His offspring would be aliens in a foreign land."  Indeed the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt for more than four hundred years provides a vivid illustration for the modern disciple in the world today.  Just as the Israelites in Egypt were, "aliens in a foreign land," so the modern day disciple is no different.  Consider the following "alien" behaviors: "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you... bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you... bless those who persecute you. Bless and curse not."-Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14 Furthermore, 2 Timothy 3:12 warns, "All who desire to live godly in Chirst Jesus will be persecuted,"and the response of Jesus to this harsh reality is simply,"blessed are you" (see Matthew 5:10-12). "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." -John 15:19 Yes, one who considers himself a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, is one who will live his life on the earth as,"an alien in a foreign land." *For a FREE COPY of this series in the form of a BROCHURE than you can share with others, simply reply to this message and write ALIEN BROCHUREin the subject box and send.  Please be sure to include your mailing address. For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, clickhere. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, clickhere.

100% PROOF OF ALIENS... ON THE EARTH TODAY! 3

GodThoughtsWired!                  Tuesday, July 5, 2011 Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% 100% PROOF OF ALIENS... ON THE EARTH TODAY! 3 Actually, one who participates in the sinful ways of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  He is, according to the Bible, an adulteress (see James 4:4).  Until the would-be follower of Jesus comes to grip with the reality that he is not of this world, he is relegated to live a life of denial, fear, timidity, and compromise; outside of, and separate from, a right relationship with God. In fact, this is precisely the process that we can see in the life of Peter.  Prior to Pentecost Peter talked a good game.  He claimed that he would never deny Chirst (seeMatthew 26:34).  Well, talk is cheap.  Matthew 26:69-75 exposes Peter as a timid, fearful man, filled with compromise and contradictions.  Before the cock crowed Peter had indeed, denied Jesus three times. But something powerful happened in the life of Peter subsequent to his denials.  He came to accept and even embrace his status as someone who was in the world but not of the world.  By Acts chapter 4, Peter had been mocked, persecuted, and beaten because of his faith and loyalty to Christ.  The association with Jesus that he was once ashamed of, was now counted as a high privilege... more tomorrow! For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, clickhere. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, clickhere.

100% PROOF OF ALIENS... ON THE EARTH TODAY! 2

GodThoughtsWired!                       Friday, July 1, 2011 Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% 100% PROOF OF ALIENS... ON THE EARTH TODAY! 2 Yes, "Alien."  Jesus says of His followers in John 17:14,"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."  Wow!  In the world but not of the world.  A pretty high calling.  A pretty tough challenge.  John admonished the disciples further in this regard in his first letter from the isle of Patmos.  He said, "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes  and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." -1 John 2:15-17, bold mine The book of James tells us that friendship with the world is hostility toward God.  The Bible makes it clear that we cannot be a friend of the world (meaning the world's value system) and a friend of God at the same time... More next week. For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, clickhere. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, clickhere.