Happy Reformation Day!

Oct 312009
 

On October 31st in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg. Luther was a monk and a university professor. His 95 Theses was a challenge to the Roman Catholic practice of indulgences and an invitation to debate on the issue.  The Lord used it, though, to spark the Reformation. Reformed meaning the return to the Bible as the sole authority for faith and practice and not the church. That is a huge generalization but it was the birth of the Protestant denominations. Thousands were killed or exiled during that time for their faith. Much of what we enjoy today is built upon the work and lives of the Reformers that the Lord raised up to glorify His name. So let us not forget those that sacrificed from the past and give thanks.

Happy Reformation Day!

If another seasonal event comes to mind today, stop over at the Stand to Reason Blog and read how our focus is best directed.

 October 31, 2009  History, The Basics Comments Off

Now We Really Live

Oct 302009
 

1 Thessalonians 3:1-8 NASB
1  Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2  and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, 3  so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 4  For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 5  For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. 6  But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7  for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8  for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

We as believers have someone in our life that has mentored us or taught us the things of God. That person has been a source of encouragement for us and maybe even a agent of God’s hand in correcting our wrong attitudes or behavior. First we must thank the Lord for bringing those people into our lives and using them for our growth in the Lord. Also, don’t forget to thank the person that obeyed the Lord in discipling you. Tell him or her about your walk with the Lord. Share about your growth in the faith. Share about the times you have been used of God for His glory. We don’t know what trials our mentor is going through. We don’t know the times of discouragement or depression. But not only is it right to share our faith with unbelievers, it is an encouragement to share it with each other. It is right to give glory to God for using faithful men and women in our sanctification and sharing that with those people. That is why even under great affliction Paul said, “We really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.” So take the time to share your faith and love with someone that did that for you in the past. It may be the very thing they need to hear right now.

 October 30, 2009  Christian Living, For God's Glory Comments Off

25 Things I’ve Learned

Oct 222009
 

Today Dan Phillips at Pyromaniacs re-posted his 25 Things I’ve Learned from over two years ago. Some of those are:

1. Experience may be the best teacher—but the tuition is mighty high.
2. Until they’re tested, they’re just opinions — not convictions.
16. You can’t talk anyone out of sin.

These and the remaining 22 all have scripture references. It is well worth the read and worth printing and posting on your wall.

[Read the original]

 October 22, 2009  Christian Living Comments Off

A Daily Prayer

Oct 162009
 

This is not only a prayer we should pray for others, but one we should pray for ourselves. I desire that I would bear fruit in every good work while increasing in knowledge.

Colossians 1:9-10 NASB
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

 October 16, 2009  The Gospel Comments Off

An Alarm to the Unconverted

Oct 072009
 

A friend sent this to me by email last night and I wanted to share it.

An Alarm to the Unconverted – by Joseph Alleine 1671

All of Christ is accepted by the sincere convert; he loves not only the wages, but the work of Christ; not only the benefits but the burden of Christ; he is willing not only to tread out the corn but to draw under the yoke; he takes up the command of Christ, yea, the cross of Christ.

The unsound closet by halves with Christ: He is all for the salvation of Christ, but he is not for sanctification/holiness; he is for the privileges but appropriates not the person of Christ; he divides the offices and benefits of Christ. This is an error in the foundation. Whosoever loves life, let him beware here; it is an undoing mistake of which you have been often warned and yet none is more common.

Jesus is a sweet name but men love not the Lord Jesus in sincerity. They will not have Him as God offers, to be a Prince and a Savior. The divide what God has joined, the King and the Priest; yea, they will not accept the salvation of Christ as He intends it. They divided here.

Every man’s vote is for salvation from suffering, but they desire not to be saved from sinning. They would have their lives saved but would not have their lusts put to death. Yea, many divide here again; they would be content to have some of their sins destroyed, but they cannot leave the lap of Delilah or divorce the beloved Herodias (Mark 6:17ff). They cannot be cruel to the right eye or the right hand (Matthew 5:29-30); the Lord must pardon them in this thing. O’ be carefully scrupulous here; your soul depends upon it.

The sound convert takes the whole Christ and takes Him for all intents and purposes without exceptions, without limitations, and without reserve. He is willing to have Christ on any terms. He is willing to have the dominion of Christ as well as deliverance by Christ. The true convert says with Paul, “Lord, what will you have me do?” – ANYTHING LORD JESUS. The true convert sends the blank check to Christ to set down His own conditions.

The entire book it is available in PDF format “An Alarm to the Unconverted”.

 October 7, 2009  The Gospel Comments Off