Can you handle the truth about false teachers?

The Nativity Story (Full Length Movie)

Lost and Found

Strolling through our local grocery store earlier today minding my own business I spotted a couple of bank notes totaling $60 laying on the floor right in front of me. A quick look around to see if there was anybody nearby that may have dropped their loot I noticed a man loading his shopping basket but with his back to me.  I was about to ask him if he had dropped some money but decided against doing so.  The reason was - in my mind at least - obvious. Of course he will claim it, even if he was not the rightful owner, so I picked up the cash and moved on.

 Debating what to do next, I went over to the service counter and explained the situation to the young man behind the desk.  I asked him to keep an eye out for anybody looking like they had lost some money and that I would stick around for a bit so that I could return it.  I did not tell him how much it was or what the denominations were.  He agreed but said that if nobody came forward I am welcome to keep it.

While I kept my distance from the checkouts I kept an eye on each person when I noticed a young guy (not the same man that was near to where I picked up the money) pacing up and down the isles looking distressed.  He had just left his wife and kids at the checkout who were looking equally distressed.  Stopping him in the isle, I asked if he was looking for something - "Yes", he replied, "I dropped some money". "How much?" "About $50 or so".  I handed him the cash and wished him a good day.  The look on his face was unbelievable as he all but gave me a big hug.

Thinking back, this could have gone in a number of different directions but I was so excited to be a part of doing the right thing and in the process ensuring that the money was returned to the right person.  I just wished that I was able to meet up with him later and explain why I choose to return the money rather than keep it for myself but he had already left.

It is always a good feeling doing the right thing.

Seasoned with Salt

It's been a while since I have blogged, Tweeted or Face-booked - and there is a good reason for that. Simply put, I needed a break from social media.  So does this blog mean I am back?  Well, yes and no...

I recently read a tweet that simply said "Pray before you Tweet". To be honest, that stuck with me for a while and I started doing just that.  I want every conversation, spoken or written to be God honoring and there are times we are tempted to post or respond to a comment on social media that are not pleasing to God.  God's Word exhorts us to:  "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6)

That said, there have also been quite a number of things going on around me the last couple of weeks and as I see friends hurting and struggling with issues I did not want to see how they are commenting on social media lest I be tempted to add my own bit. Instead, I have had to focus on what God's Word says - it's better reading anyway :)


During our trials we often find ourselves  "Afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed because we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and the hope that we have in you does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Thank you Jesus that we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  So my friends, do not lose heart. "Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal"
Romans 5:2-5; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Fear of the unknown

As I read through the many comments on 180movie, one thought has stuck with me for a while:

Comments like "If the child is born with DS what kind of life will he / she have?" or "I am not in a position to raise a child".

There seems to be a fear of the unknown. We can take a lesson from the well known "Dog Wisperer" Ceasar Millan as he refers to the animal world in that they only live in the present. "There is no past or future, there are just the needs and wants of the present."

Compare this with humans. We live mostly in the past and in the future… and in some cases, we are focused on making sure the past never goes away. The mistakes of the past are constantly brought up, reminding us of what happened the last time we elected that party or politician – we remember the hurt, the guilt, the fear – Ceaser says, "A fearful pack is a reactionary pack. And that’s dangerous for any species. Likewise, we use the future in a similar fashion. Only it’s fear of the unknown."

Are we not so much better than the animal world?  Have we gone so low as to behave like an animal with no conscience and simply remove the obstacle to our own selfishness?. While I can't pass any judgement as to the circumstances of the pregnancy, abortion is wrong.  Adoption is always an option. The 180movie is a wake up call for all humanity to see where we are heading.  It all starts off with the selfcenteredness of man and the "lust of of the eyes".  Wake up people!

Is everything meaningful?

In response to a student's statement that life has no meaning, Ravi Zacharias answers as follows:

"I assume that you assume that what you just said was meaningful and if what you just said is meaningful, then everything is not meaningless. On the other hand, if everything is meaningless then what you just said is meaningless too, and what you just said means nothing."

Why Jesus Wept

The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” But for all its grammatical simplicity, it’s packed with unfathomable complexity.  Jesus wept after speaking with Lazarus’ grieving sisters, Martha and Mary, and seeing all the mourners. That seems natural enough. Except that Jesus had come to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead. He knew that in a few short minutes all this weeping would turn to astonished joy, and then tearful laughter, and then worship. So one would think that Jesus would be a confident, joyful calm in that storm of sorrow. But he was “greatly troubled” (John 11:33) and he wept. Why?

Compassion for the Suffering

One reason is simply the deep compassion that Jesus felt for those who were suffering. It is true that Jesus let Lazarus die. He delayed coming, and he did not speak healing from a distance like he did for the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:13). His reasons were good and merciful and glorious. But this did not mean Jesus took the suffering it caused lightly. “For he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men” (Lamentations 3:33). Even though Jesus always chooses what will ultimately bring his Father the most glory (John 11:4)—and sometimes, as in Lazarus’ case, it requires affliction and grief—he does not take delight in the affliction and grief itself. No, Jesus is sympathetic (Hebrews 4:15). And as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), in Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus we get a glimpse of how the Father feels over the affliction and grief his children experience.

Calamity of Sin

Another reason Jesus wept was over the calamity of sin. As God the Son who had come into the world to destroy the devil’s works (1 John 3:8), Jesus was about to deliver death its deathblow (1 Corinthians 15:26). But sin grieves God deeply and so do the wages of sin: death (Romans 6:23). And ever since the fall of Adam and Eve he had endured sin’s horrific destruction. Death had consumed almost¹ every human being he had created. It had taken Lazarus, and it would take him again before it was all over. Tears of anger and longing were mixed with Jesus’ tears of grief.

Cost of Redemption

A third reason for weeping was the cost that he was about to pay to purchase not only Lazarus’ short-term resurrection, but his everlasting life. The cross was just days away and no one really knew the inner distress (Luke 12:50) Jesus was experiencing. Lazarus’ resurrection would look and be experienced by Lazarus and everyone else as a gift of grace. But, oh, it was not free. Jesus was going to die a horrific death to purchase it. And the most horrific part was not crucifixion, as unimaginable as that alone would have been. He was dreading his Father’s wrath. Jesus, who had never known sin, was about to become Lazarus’ sin, and the sin of all who had or would believe in him, so that in him they would all become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was looking to the joy that was set before him (Hebrews 12:2). But the reality of what lay between was weighing heavily.

Cause of His Own Death

A fourth possible reason for Jesus’ tears was that he knew that raising Lazarus would actually cause the religious leaders to finally take action to put him to death (John 11:45-53). In this account, most of us probably marvel at Jesus’ incredible trust that his Father would answer him. We have such little faith. If Jesus had any struggle that day, it would not have been whether his Father would answer, but what would result when his Father answered. Calling Lazarus out of the tomb would have taken a different kind of resolve for Jesus than we might have imagined. Giving Lazarus life was sealing Jesus’ own death.

Just these few reasons for Jesus’ weeping at Lazarus’ tomb give us a glimpse into how God views our suffering and death. His reasons for not sparing us these things are righteous and glorious. But in them he is full of compassion (Psalm 103:13). He hates the calamity sin brings, and he himself has suffered more than we will ever know in order to pay the full cost of our eternal redemption.

“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5). And when that morning comes, “death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Revelation 21:4).

________

¹Enoch and Elijah are the only exceptions in the Biblical record.

Source

What changed their minds?

http://180movie.com/ is a project that has the potential of changing a nation's views on abortion. Please watch this, it will totally change your life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are a Facebook user, you can also follow the activities on this page:

https://www.facebook.com/180moviecom

A.J. MILLER, YOU’RE NOT JESUS DEAL WITH IT

Well, there is nothing I can add to this - so here is the original post in its entirety:

A.J. MILLER, YOU’RE NOT JESUS DEAL WITH IT

Exposing Deception

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. (2 Peter 2:1)"

There is a great lack of discernment among today's Evangelical Christians. The watering down of scripture is leaving the church vulnerable to heretical doctrines and ideas. The best protection against false doctrines and false teachers is to be firmly rooted in the word of God and to be testing everything in the light of scripture just as the Apostle Paul commanded the Bereans to do: "For they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11). If the Apostle Paul himself urged the early Christians to test everything said in light of scripture, how much more discerning should today's Christians be in this sea of charlatans and messy theology? The Apostle Paul warned: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Jesus also warned in Matthew 24:4 and in Matthew 24:24 that we are not to be deceived "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."

Sadly, here are two areas of deception that are making their way into the church show and a lack of discernment:

1. Lectio Divina
   Lectio Divina is Latin for "divine reading," "spiritual reading," or "holy reading" and represents a method of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to provide special spiritual insights. The principles of lectio divina were expressed around the year A.D. 220 and practiced by Catholic monks, especially the monastic rules of Sts. Pachomius, Augustine, Basil, and Benedict.
   
   With regards lectio divina the inherent dangers in opening our minds and listening for voices should be obvious. The contemplative pray-ers are so eager to hear something—anything—that they can lose the objectivity needed to discern between God’s voice, their own thoughts, and the infiltration of demons into their minds. Satan and his minions are always eager for inroads into the minds of the unsuspecting, and to open our minds in such ways is to invite disaster. We must never forget that Satan is ever on the prowl, seeking to devour our souls (1 Peter 5:8) and can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), whispering his deceptive lies into our open and willing minds. Many so called "Christian" institutions and even evangelical churches have now started introducing sessions into their training programs suggesting that one grab onto any phrase, verse or thought that would confirm their calling. Certainly God uses His sufficient, infallible and inerrant word to guide and lead us as we study it (exegesis), but for us to take our circumstances and smash it into the word (eisegesis) to conform our calling is most certainly not the way to read scripture.
   
   The attack on the sufficiency of Scripture is a clear distinctive of lectio divina. Where the Bible claims to be all we need to live the Christian life (2 Timothy 3:16), lectio’s adherents deny that. Those who practice “conversational” prayers, seeking a special revelation from God, are asking Him to bypass what He has already revealed to mankind, as though He would now renege on all His promises concerning His eternal Word. Psalm 19:7-14 contains the definitive statement about the sufficiency of Scripture. It is “perfect, reviving the soul”; it is “right, rejoicing the heart”; it is “pure, enlightening the eyes”; it is “true” and “righteous altogether”; and it is “more desirable than gold.” If God meant all that He said in this psalm, there is no need for additional revelation, and to ask Him for one is to deny what He has already revealed.
   
   Unity and friendship with the world actually disguise unbelief and are dangerous distractions from the Lord and His truth. Contemplative prayer techniques turn the believer toward the same desired esoteric enlightenment, which was the deception of the serpent, as was promised Adam and Eve. Satan planted the lie that they were somehow incomplete without partaking of hidden knowledge that would make them like God.
   
   
2. Yoga
   Yoga is practiced by many in North America and around the world. Courses on Yoga are in most every city being offered in schools, colleges, health clubs, YMCA's, and churches.  Most westerners are naive to the religious origin and nature of yoga. Many practitioners who do, merely presume that the exercises are harmless if they are not practiced with a spiritual intent. Yoga is a series of exercises and postures (asanas) which are advertised as a way to tone up, reduce stress and experience tranquility. So should a Christian participate in Yoga?  I find it quite amusing that the question is even asked.  That fact alone tells one that the practice is questionable. Is it purely a form of physical exercise?  Based on the evidence, I would have to give a resounding NO!
    
   
   Yoga though is an intrinsic part of Hinduism. Swami Vishnudevananda, well known authority of Yoga, in his book "The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga" explains the purpose of Yoga, "It is the duty of each developed man to train his body to the highest degree of perfection so that it may be used to pursue spiritual purposes... the aim of all yoga practice is to achieve truth wherein the individual soul identifies itself with the supreme soul of God."
   
   
   Hinduism, as do most new age groups, teaches that the ultimate reality is consciousness or energy (God-Brahman). Each individual soul (Atman) has seven energy deposits known as chakras or meridians in his body along the spinal column. The yoga positions are designed to align these chakras, for the energy to merge with the ultimate cosmic energy and to experience "Atman is Brahman."
   There are various schools or forms of yoga: Karma Yoga (spiritual union through right conduct); Bhakti Yoga (union with the Absolute by devotion to a guru); Juana or Gyana Yoga (access to God through esoteric knowledge); and Raja Yoga (God-realization through mental control).
   
   
   Two of the more controversial styles of yoga are kundalini (the arousal of the serpent force at the base of the spine) and tantra yoga which is violent sexual practices. One subdivision of Raja Yoga is hatha yoga. This is the most popular form being practiced today in the West. Hatha Yoga is divided into eight stages: (1) body purification; (2) postures; (3) mudras (postures that produce psychic/prana/chi energy); (4) breath control; (5) stilling the mind; (6) concentration; (7) meditation; (8) union with God-Shiva (Ibid).
   
   
   The word yoga is sanskrit meaning union or yoking with the God consciousness. In case anyone is confused about whether Hatha Yoga is religious, in the book ?Hatha Yogao by Swami Sivananda Radha, is written, "When most people in the West think of yoga, they think of yoga as a form of exercise. Too often... there are yoga teachers who teach asanas without an understanding of their real nature and purpose. Asanas are a devotional practice which like all spiritual practices, bring us to an understanding of the truth.... Beyond this there also lies a mystical or spiritual meaning. Each asana creates a certain meditative state of mind," (p.xv; emphasis mine).
   
   
   "Hatha Yoga plays an important part in the development of the human being... the body working in harmony with the mind, to bring the seeker into closer contact with the Higher Self," (Ibid, p.xvii).
   "The physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects are of utmost importance and have always been the basis on which various yogas, kundalini and Hatha specifically have been built to achieve the harmonic development of human beings," (Ibid, p. 5).
   
   
   There are many exercises much more beneficial than yoga and the time has come for Christians to respond with the facts to have this removed from wherever we can.  Not only that, but the problems presented by yoga are both individual and social. Widespread claims to the contrary, it is not a health practice. The person who engages in yoga for health purposes may find himself converted to an occultic way of life. In spite of its perception as a safe and valuable technique, true yoga involves occultic meditation and the development of psychic powers which may result in spirit contact or spirit possession.
   Although the public falsely perceives yoga as a safe or neutral practice, even authoritative yoga literature is replete with warnings of serious physical consequences, mental derangement, and harmful spiritual effects. Paralysis, insanity, and death are frequently mentioned. Allegedly, such consequences arise from wrong yoga practice but, in fact, they really arise because yoga is an occult practice. Those who care about their overall health  and especially spiritual health, should not practice yoga.

Jesus tells us that from the moment of rebirth, we are complete in Him. We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), the Trinity dwells in the believer (John 14:16; John 17; 2 John 1:9) and nothing will separate us from the love of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). Believers need to test the spirits (1 John 4:1) to see if these so called "apostles of Christ" speak according to the Word (Isaiah 8:20) and need to turn aside from godless myths (1 Timothy 4:7), avoid the philosophies of men (Colossians 2:8), mark those who introduce heresies contrary to truth (Romans 16:17), and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Those who lead us away from purity and devotion to the Word are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them (1 John 4:5). Let us uphold the truth of the Word and walk by its light in faith, hope and love, trusting that the Lord has given us all that we need to be complete in Him (Colossians 2:10).

References:

The Holy Bible

http://www.gotquestions.org/lectio-divina.html

Caryl Matrisciana: http://www.carylmatrisciana.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=119:counterfeit-spirituality-part-5&catid=38:emerging-church&Itemid=83

Roger Oakland and Bob DeWaay: http://www.olivetreeviews.org/wordpress/jan%E2%80%99s-articles/more-proof-the-east-is-seducing-the-west-2/

By Ken Silva: http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=586

By Heidi Swander: http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=3873

Brian Flynn: http://onetruthministries.com/articles.html

“Take Heed” Ministries: http://www.takeheed.net/Assorted_Articles/Emerging_Church/SummerMadnessLectioDivina.htm
Being Still by Jon J. Cardwell: http://justificationbygrace.com/2010/05/13/being-still/
Holistic Health Practices: http://www.jashow.org/wiki/index.php/Holistic_Health_Practices/Part_41
The Wathcman Expositor: http://www.watchman.org/na/yoga.htm

Every man did what was right in his own eyes

Ever heard somebody say "These are stupid rules" or "Why can't I just do as I want".  Now if you are like me, I am sure that when you were child you also hated rules as much as I did.  Imagine the roads in your city or town without any rules or regulations everybody going wherever they please without stop signs or traffic lights and just pushing their way ahead.  What chaos that would cause.  All too often I wonder if there are any laws at all (sure it exists, but a law that is not enforced ceases to be a law) so every man does what he wants to do and the result is total chaos. Western society is a good example of this today. When no one tries to enforce right and wrong chaos will always result. When a society rejects authority eventually it will deteriorate into chaos.

Where there is no strong godly leadership, families will predictably be torn apart by sin resulting in the suffering of family, church and society.  Whenever God's people have been without godly leadership, the result has been disastrous. For example, in the period of the judges, every man did what was right in his own eyes because there was no king in Israel. (Judges 17:6). The result was the disastrous record of sin and rebellion which we have recorded in the biblical book of Judges.  Sound familiar?  Well, It is no different in the church either. When brethren reject authority not only chaos but division will follow. 1 Corinthians 11:19 says as much: "there must be division among you that those who are approved may be made manifest." Some will stand for the truth when others leave it, so there will be division and every evil work.

The sad part about all of this is that people will always try to justify it but Proverbs 14:12 tells us that "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."  What is our attitude toward authority? If God and His Word are not paramount in our lives, we are at least sowing the seeds of chaos for our children, if not for ourselves.

Honor Begins at Home

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?

Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Riveted moviegoers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous.
In Theaters September 30 :
http://www.courageousthemovie.com/

180movie.com

We have all seen this 180 logo on Facebook, Twitter and just about everywhere else.  So what is it?

http://180movie.com/ is a project that has the potential of changing a nation's views on abortion and premiers on September 26, 2011.  Please help us get the trailer out to the general public by posting the link above and the movie trailer on your Facebook & Twitter accounts!

If you are a Facebook user, you can also follow the activities on this page:
https://www.facebook.com/180moviecom

Here are some of the reviews:

Wally Austin

"" This movie is awesome. I had tears before it was over. I have visited Auschwitz in Poland and seen what Hitler did. It is time for America to see the truth about our own Holocaust. It is time to take action. There are several spots in the movie that choke me up. One was where the old man shares about seeing his neighbor in the pit and the 5 year old. Another is watching God change the hearts of the ones who made a 180 and are now pro life. God is amazing. Thanks for making this film

Alan Hankins

"" People can and will change their view on abortion IF they are given the truth and IF we make it personal to them!

Kristen Rasor

"" I had the privilege of watching the full movie. Once again, Ray uses such a common sense approach to show people the error of their thinking. And, of course, the right way of thinking leads straight back to God. So, Pro-Choicer, the challenge for you is to watch this movie and not have your mind changed forever on your views of abortion, and God.

Amelia Arnold

"" I had the privilege of previewing the whole movie and it was outstanding! Well done! I was so encouraged by the way truth was presented and am praying that this will greatly impact the culture today - not just in the issue of abortion but for the saving of lost souls!

What a week....

After a very stressful week of dealing with a number of work as well as non work related issues, I was so looking forward to a nice long uninterrupted weekend as Monday is a holiday.  Despite all attempts to "hide" for a few days, I was woken early Saturday by a text message informing me that the phone system I manage at work was showing a major alarm status.  Well, on investigation it turns out that we are once again victims of copper cable theft - 4 times in the past 6 months and again twice this last week.  Not much I can do other than wait for the lines to be repaired despite that it is our busiest day of the year.  I must say though, the craziness of the day did bring a smile (and a lot more) at one piece of advice received:

"Can you do anything about a recorded message on our phone line or not."

and of course my obvious response:

"Nope: since they can't call in, they can't get the message!"

 Now, winding down and thinking about what tomorrow may bring, I needed to bring it all into perspective. Firstly, we all need to lay aside the worries of the week.  I am so looking forward to getting together with my church family tomorrow and worship our wonderful saviour Jesus Christ.


Second, Charles Spurgeon writes that:

"The comforting truth of Romans 8:28 is based especially on God's sovereignty. If all things work together for good (all events, all circumstances, all trials, all happenings, etc.), then it follows that God must be over all things and must control all things. This is not fearful fatalism and determinism. This is the wonderful fact that an all-wise, all-loving, just God is in complete control of all things!"

As difficult as the week has been and as I have dealt with numerous trials and situations I have tried to keep in perspective that it is God that allows things to happen the way they do (Lamentations 3:37 ) even when we don't like it. God uses these situations to shape and mold us so that we are better equipped to serve Him and that He will ultimately receive the glory for it.

~ Comam Deo

Mature in Christ - Part 2

Colossians 1:11-14

Now Paul gets much more specific of how believers can walk in a worthy manner that pleases God. Paul instructs believers to do this by putting to death the old sinful patterns of life and replacing them with a new life that is continually being changed into the likeness of God.  Pleasing God means putting to death immorality, impurity, evil desire, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, slander, lying and obscene talk. These things are to be replaced with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love (Colossians 3:5-14).

Paul’s prayer for these believers is for a complete change in their lives. He is not just praying that they know more about God or that they start doing better things, he is praying for them to become completely different people. He is praying that they kill off all of their old sinful practices and habits and completely replace them with a new man that is being renewed in the image of God.

Joyfully endure in patience

Paul has also been praying that these believers are able to joyfully endure their trials with patience. Paul, who was writing this letter from prison, knew all about the pains and hardships that often accompany a life of service to the Lord. Paul was able to retain his joy no matter how hard his circumstances became because he viewed his life from an eternal perspective. He saw all troubles in this earth as light momentary afflictions that paled in comparison to the eternal weight of glory that awaited him in the next life (2 Corinthians 4:17). The joy that came from his hope in the promises of God allowed him to endure all things.

His prayer for the church was that God would give them all the strength that they needed to endure with joy. We as well need to pray that the full power of God would strengthen our faith so that we can have patience and joy in all situations.

A mature follower of Jesus is able to view hardships from an eternal perspective and endure with patience and joy.

Always be thankful for your salvation

Paul prays that these believers will continually be giving thanks to God for their salvation. A key to spiritual maturity is a regular recognition and remembrance of the amazing work that God has done for us through Jesus. The more we are transformed into the likeness of Christ the more we will remember with thankfulness what Jesus has done for us. By giving thanks we will remember that through the righteousness of Jesus we are now qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints (Colossians 1:12). By giving thanks we will remember our former status of living in darkness without hope and how we were rescued and placed into a kingdom which we had no right to enter (Colossians 1:13). By giving thanks we will remember how we were bought with a price, the blood of Jesus, freeing us from slavery (Colossians 1:14). By giving thanks we will remember how all of our sins and transgressions against the God who created us and loves us were forgiven because of the sacrifice of His son.

A mature believer never loses sight of the wonderful work of Jesus Christ. Thankfulness is always on his lips.

As the natural goal of a child is to eventually become a mature adult, the goal for every believer is to be mature in Christ. As we seek to be transformed into a mature man or woman of God we should look to Paul’s words in Colossians 1 and echo his prayer for our own lives as we live "Coram Deo"

Adapted from http://www.youversion.com/contributions/62941/expository-summary-colossians

Mature in Christ - Part 1

Mature in Christ – Colossians 1:9-10

The book of Colossians begins with Paul joyfully acknowledging that he has heard about the faith of the people in the church of Colossae. He says that from the day that he heard about their faith he has been praying that certain things would occur in their lives, namely spiritual growth. Paul is obviously very pleased that the people in this church are now brothers and sisters in Christ. They have heard the gospel, the good news of the grace of God and understood it and believed. But Paul knew that this was just the beginning of their lives. Their initial faith in Jesus was not the end of his ministry to them nor was it the climax of their relationship to Christ, but it was just the beginning of their new life in faith. It was the start of a lifetime of transformation.

Paul, as a minister of the word, recognized that his role was not just to proclaim the gospel and to win people to Christ but to “present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). The maturity of the believer was of supreme importance to Paul. It is what he said that he toiled for and struggled for with all the energy of God that was working within him (Colossians 1:29).

Paul describes to the church how he has been praying for them in order for them to be transformed into mature believers. These thoughts are not just relevant for the people in Colossae but should be taken as instruction for what all believers should pray for and yearn for in their own lives in order to grow spiritually mature.

Be filled with the knowledge of his will

The first and most important part of Paul’s prayer for these young believers is that they will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. An understanding of God’s will and desires is crucial for spiritual growth. We cannot begin to take on godly characteristics or to live in a way that is pleasing to Him unless we first have knowledge of what it is that pleases Him.

If I tell my son to clean his room, to please me he must know what I am looking for before he begins. He can work hard at cleaning all the dirt off his toys but leave them scattered all over the room and I will not be pleased. He can gather up everything and throw it into the closet making sure nothing is left on the floor but I still will not be pleased. There is a way for him to clean his room that is pleasing to me and unless he finds out what it is he will work all day in vain. Likewise, there is a specific way that God wants us to live and we cannot do it without an understanding of what it is he wants.

God’s revealed instructions are recorded for us in the pages of the Bible. For us to be knowledgeable of His will we must be knowledgeable of the Bible. Psalm 19 tells us “the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” and that “the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes ” (Psalm 19: 7-8). It is the testimony and the commandments of God that is recorded in the Bible that gives us wisdom and opens our eyes to understanding. It is when we delight in the pages of the Bible and meditate on them day and night that we can begin to have spiritual wisdom and understanding.

The prayer that Paul had for the believers at Colossae and the prayer that we should have for ourselves is that God will give us wisdom and understanding as we meditate on God’s revelation to us.

Live in a way that pleases the Lord

Paul prays that the believers will be filled with knowledge, but not for the sake of being knowledgeable. This understanding and wisdom comes so that we will “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10). The purpose of knowing the will of God is to live in obedience to that will in order to live in a way that pleases God - "Coram Deo"

Adapted from http://www.youversion.com/contributions/62941/expository-summary-colossians

You can run but you cannot hide

How often have you heard - or even used the phrase "You can run but you cannot hide" ?  In one of the greatest heavyweight boxing fights of all time, (Joe Loius vs. Billy Conn in 1941) Conn would not gain weight for the challenge, saying instead that he would rely on a 'hit and run' strategy.  In response he received the now famous line from Louis. From sporting events to Law enforcement or in casual conversation, this phrase has never meant as much as it does in Psalm 139: 7-10.

Matthew Henry's well-known commentary originally published in 1706 describes this Psalm as one of the most excellent of all the psalms of David.  Being always under the watchful eye of God is indeed a sobering thought and no flight can remove us out of God's presence.

Charles H. Spurgeon comments:

From the sight of God he cannot be hidden, but that is not all,—from the immediate, actual, constant presence of God he cannot be withdrawn. We must be, whether we will it or not, as near to God as our soul is to our body. This makes it dreadful work to sin; for we offend the Almighty to his face, and commit acts of treason at the very foot of his throne. Go from him, or flee from him we cannot: neither by patient travel nor by hasty flight can we withdraw from the all surrounding Deity. His mind is in our mind; himself within ourselves. His spirit is over our spirit; our presence is ever in his presence. Whether we rise up or lie down, take our wing or make our bed, we shall find God near us. What an awful thought, that some men seem resolved to take up their night's abode in hell, a night which shall know no morning.

God is a Spirit, and therefore it is folly to think that because we cannot see him he cannot see us. Just another reminder to live "Coram Deo"

Qualities of a Great Ambassador

What a joy and privilege it is to come together in the Lords House on The Lords day to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Once again, I have been blessed and challenged by the teaching of Gods Word this morning. The sermon message was a continuation from last week focusing on 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 as our Pastor today talked about the characteristics that will mark our qualities as a Great Ambassador.

The three main points from the message were:

1. Integrity of the Messenger
   As a messenger - or an Ambassador, we must go about our daily business, being who we say we are and it is not enough for us to just know this, but to live it.  In Galatians 2:20 we read that "it is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me". In practical terms, that means to live a life that is not only impacted by Jesus Christ but also controlled by his love (2 Corinthians 5:14), been transformed by the renewal of our minds and by presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1-1)
   
   
2. The Integrity of the Message
   As important as the integrity of the messenger is, the message itself cannot and must not ever be compromised.  We are warned in Galatians 1:8-10 against preaching a wrong gospel.  We need to get the message right lest we are accursed. Romans 5 shows us how we can have peace with God: Vs 8 "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" and vs 11 "More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation". As pastor was preaching we were reminded that it is by grace through faith that we are saved and not of our own doing (Ephesians 2:8) and I recalled a few lines from the old hymn "Rock of Ages" -  "Nothing in my hand I bring....Simply to the cross I cling"
   
   
3. Incredible Intimacy
   How much does God love us?: "God shows his love for us in that while we are still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) and we are now implored to be reconciled to God so that "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Being an ambassador for Christ will mean carrying the message and living a life "rooted and grounded in love...and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God". (Ephesians 3:14-19)

This is living "Corem Deo" - to the praise of his glory!

And it was good....

This morning started off slightly earlier than usual for a Saturday as I had a ministry breakfast meeting.  What a joy to share in ministry with these fine men of God. It was a good meeting and a good breakfast as we talked and planned our fall events for CBC Men's Ministry.


As it turned out to be such a beautiful morning, I decided to take the dog for a walk after the meeting and soon found myself on the Fort to Fort trail in Fort Langley.

While I was walking Miley, it was fun to see how he walked beside me and took in every scent and sight around.  He even tried to make a dash for the squirrel that ran across the path in front of us which made me (and others on the trail smile).  Not even a butterfly or the tiniest creeping creature seemed to be missed.  As we walked and played, I could not help but notice the beauty of my surroundings and was soon  reminded of how it all began:

In Genesis 1:1 we read that  "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth...".Then God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.

This was on the first day.  On day three, God separated the dry land from the waters and God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called seas... The earth brought forth vegetation, plants and trees  And God saw that it was good.

On day five, God let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly across the expanse of the heavens. And God saw that it was good.

Then, on day six, God created living creatures, livestock, creeping things and beasts of the earth.  And God saw that it was good.

God then made man and gave man dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. And God saw everything that he had made and behold, it was very good.

What a wonderful reminder of the goodness of God and enjoying all He has given us to take care of as we continue to live "Corem Deo"