Observations About Various Teachings

I'm reading through Mark right now and made a few observations tonight in the course of five minutes that I thought related to what I have heard professed by other religions that don't square with the word of God.

First I read the parable of the tenants. The owner of the vineyard (God) sent various servants (prophets) to the tenants (Israel) to get some fruit, but those servants were beaten and/or killed. The owner finally sent one last person, his son (Jesus) who was also killed. The owner had little choice but to destroy the vineyard and give it to others (the Gentiles). From this I see that Jesus was the last one sent directly by God the Father. None are sent after him.

Second I read the question asked of Jesus about marriage after the resurrection. I have heard some teach that we can be married for all eternity, but it seems fairly clear that there will be no marriage after the resurrection, nor does it make sense that there would be a need for it -- marriage is for here on earth. Heaven isn't going to get populated by reproduction and we aren't going to experience loneliness or the need for helpers there.

Those are the two things that popped into my head tonight, but over time I have encountered various others.

For example it seems quite clear in the Bible that we shouldn't put undue emphasis on Mary or the dead as some erroneously teach.

It also seems quite clear in the Bible that Jesus is in fact God in the flesh. While there are numerous examples of this through his speech and actions (such as being worshiped without rebuking the worshipers). My favorite for a long time though comes from the apostle Thomas when he says, after seeing Jesus after the resurrection, "My Lord and My God". I always thought more evidence of this idea from Jesus' followers would be great, and I read the other day where Paul writes in Titus "...waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."

Now that's fully awesome.

Brothers and sisters keep diligently reading the word of God, its the best measuring stick we have to hold up to teachings we're not sure about!

Grace and Peace

Onward Christian Solider

This Memorial Day weekend the whole issue of mixing Christianity and American nationalism came to mind again. This is a time we remember the men and women who gave and continue to give their lives to buy the freedom we have in this country. We should be very thankful to live in a land where we can read God's word and preach it freely without fear of imprisonment or death.

However it bugged me a little bit to see church services getting mixed with honoring those serving in the military. I didn't know why at the time, but I knew it had something to do with tacking something on to Christianity that doesn't belong there and mixing up Christian ideals with American ideals.

I think I've come to a fair understanding of what both sides of my mixed feelings were. So here they are for what its worth.

First, I agree that those who give their lives up for others deserved to be honored. I wouldn't hesitate to thank a policeman or firefighter for the jobs they do. I assume automatically those men and women willingly risk their lives and give of themselves to keep the rest of us safe. You know what? I bet that assumption doesn't apply to everyone. Its the same with the military. So, to all those in the military who signed up to keep us safe and fight against evil powers in the world, as an act of love, thank you.

What I think I have a bigger problem with is not those following orders, but rather those giving the orders. Our military is involved in far more than controlling our borders and patrolling our coasts to keep us safe. Since we are not a Christian nation (see my rant below) I find it difficult to believe that all the places we occupy and all the battles we fight are for the right reasons.

Second, if America ever was a "Christian nation" it certainly isn't one now. Look at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from today's American perspective and from a Biblical perspective:

1) According to the American ideal, we have a right to life simply by being born and are free to do with that life what we choose. However according to the Bible life is given and sustained by God, and that our lives our not our own. We were bought at a great price through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, and our lives belong to God. We are called to give up our lives willingly for God and for others rather than live for ourselves.

2) According to the American ideal, liberty today means that we are ultimately free to do whatever we want. The Bible is not a measuring stick of right and wrong, the only thing that is valued today is choice, and truth is seen as relative. The Bible says something a bit different about our freedom through Christ. Paul wrote to the Galatians "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve another." One version of freedom has God in the picture and one does not. As Christians we can enjoy both, but that does not mean they are equal.

3) According to the American ideal, the pursuit of happiness today means that people have a right to pursue individual pleasure without being judged by our fellow citizens. God is nowhere in the picture. According to the Bible we are not to seek mere happiness, but rather joy. Happiness is fleeting and is tied to circumstances. Joy is deep, lasting, and comes from God.

So, to end my tirade and sum up:

1) To those serving in the military for the right reasons: thank you. To those serving in the military who are my Christian brothers and sisters, let's pray for those who are serving, or controlling, the military for the wrong reasons for a change of heart.

2) America is still the best place in the world for a Christian to live, but don't slap a Christian sticker on it -- if this nation ever was a Christian nation, it isn't any more.

Grace and Peace

Saved!

I heard a great account on the radio today from K.P. Yohannan, founder of Gospel for Asia. I will retell it to the best of my recollection.

There was a village where none of the residents had ever heard about Jesus. They were mostly or all Hindu. One family went to the temple priest to inquire about some struggle or another. The temple priest told them that they were being punished for wrongs in past lives. To take care of the problem they should sacrifice their 4 year old daughter.

They agreed and set a date.

Then a Christian missionary came to the area and by the grace of God the temple priest came to Christ. Together they were able to stop the family from carrying out the previously planned atrocity. Instead some or all of the family came to Christ as well and the village was able to hear the gospel for the first time.

Hallelujah!

If Jesus Came To Your House

I didn't write this, but I like it.

If Jesus came to your home
to spend a day or two
If He came unexpectedly
I wonder what you'd do

Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room
To such an honored guest
And all the food you'd serve him
Would be the very best
And you would keep assuring him
You're glad to have him there
That serving him in your home
Is joy beyond compare

But when you see him coming
Would you meet him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome
To your heavenly visitor

Or would you have to change your clothes
Before you let him in
Or hide some magazines
And put the Bible where they'd been

Would you turn off the radio
And hope he hadn't heard
And wish you hadn't uttered
That last, loud, hasty word

Would you hide your worldly music
And put some hymn books out
Could you let Jesus walk right in
Or would you rush about

And I wonder if the Savior
Spent a day or two with you
Would you go right on doing
The things you always do

Would you go right on saying
The things you always say
Would life for you continue
As it does from day to day

Would your family conversation
Keep its usual pace
And would you find it hard each meal
To say table grace

Would you sing the songs you always sing
And read the books you read
And let him know the things
On which your mind and spirit feed

Would you take Jesus with you
Everywhere you planned to go
Or would you, maybe, change your plans
For just a day or so

Would you be glad to have him
Meet your very closest friends
Or would you hope they stay away
Until His visit ends

Would you be glad to have him
Stay forever on and on
Or would you sigh with great relief
When he at last was gone

It might be interesting to know
The things That you would do
If Jesus came in person
To spend some time with you

Grace and Peace

If God Could Get In

You know one thing that bugs me? It's a commercial for some new TV show that I don't plan on watching. One dude says to the other "This is where God would party." This yields the response "If he could get in!"

That's man's big problem all summed up in two sentences isn't it? Children of wrath seeking self-indulgent pleasure to fill the void inside and shutting God out. I don't say this as an insult. I know full well what it means to live for self and seek satisfaction from a world that can't deliver it.

Praise be to God the Father and his son the Lord Jesus Christ for kicking down the doors to the party and showing people there is a better way to live, and a greater feeling than fleeting highs from worldly pleasures!

Thank you God for your light and the joy it brings when we walk in it! May we all come to know Christ and feel what it means to be free from the bondage of sin and be servants of the living God!

Two testimonies

I was looking around for information about Michael Franzese (mob big wig in his BC days). Here is that story:

http://www.michaelfranzese.com/inside.php

While I was looking for his story, I came across the testimonies section of the CARM website and read through quite a detailed story of a Muslim who came to renounce Islam and follow Christ:

http://www.carm.org/christianity/testimonies/journey-muslim-al-gharibs-story