by David Kotter | May 30, 2016 | Articles, Testimonies
“If you died today, and were standing before God, what would you say to convince him to let you into heaven?” Imagine this question posed to you at a lunch meeting, or even perhaps on the phone. What would you say? Fortunately, I am prized with daily unbeliever intersections, which allow me the opportunity to ask this very question. As one might imagine the feedback runs the gamut, but all have a common theme, which is justification. Whether they consciously know it, or not, man is always playing the Luke 18 Pharisee justify card. “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” This manifests itself today, as “I am a good person,” or could be better understood as, “I am so much better than the next guy.” Man is always playing appraiser as he pulls out comps to support his own personal valuation. The tactic, to this attitude of hiding by justifying, is to ask questions, which expose the truth of his/her sin condition. Some of the questions I pose back to them are: How did you come up with that? What standard are you using? Does your standard trump someone else’s? Have you ever not lived up to your own standard? Questions are so powerful, and Jesus knew this well; look at Matthew 19:17: And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” Jesus knew about His own divinity, but was forcing this man to think...
by Gayle Jackson | May 16, 2016 | Articles, Mentors Corner
Forgiveness is a very large subject in the bible. In thinking on it, I realized that it is a key concept for the Church to survive. We must have a working creed of forgiveness and understand it or the church will come unraveled. The subject of forgiveness is much too extensive for a blog from me, so I am going to take it on in pieces. This issue covers the concept of forgiveness that is most prevalent among families and friends. As I have gotten older I realize the problem that my family, friends and associates have with forgiveness. I especially see this in family relations and a major focus of the angst is centered on the parents. I think as we age we just don’t shed bad experiences well. However forgiveness is a major issue with God and that is the reason we need to discuss it. Forgiveness: The definition from the Greek is cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, and yield up. The dictionary says FORGIVENESS- pardon, forgiveness; to let pass, take away, hide, wash, purify, release You get the sense that when you forgive you are putting an issue out of your life. Observation: Forgiveness is an act of the will. An emotion may be involved but a willful resolve is the force in the action of forgiveness. Your forgiveness is not governed by the other person’s response. You do it because God said to do it. Facts on Forgiveness: 1. It is commanded in the bible. 2. It is an act of the will. Emotion may or may not follow. 3. Your forgiveness may or may not be accepted by the other party. 4. It is unidirectional, no...
by Walt Henrichsen | May 2, 2016 | Articles, People Not Listening
“… to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:3 No one marries to meet the needs of his/her spouse, but rather to meet his/her own needs. For example, single men do not seek sex with women for the purpose of meeting the woman’s needs. This, Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians 7, serves as the basis for determining whether or not the dedicated follower of Christ should marry. Once married, Christ’s followers are confronted with God’s command to meet the needs of the spouse, while looking to God alone for the meeting of personal needs; the husband lives a self-sacrificial life on behalf of his wife. “Husbands, love your wives like Christ loved the Church when He gave Himself for her”.1 Apart from God’s insistence that His followers live such lives, where do you find affirmation that you should sacrifice meeting your needs in order to meet the needs of others? You only have a small number of choices: 1 – You can divorce, remarry, divorce – seeking to meet your needs. 2 – You can assume responsibility for your family and meet their needs while suppressing your narcissistic desire for happiness – hoping that this “suppressed volcano” will not erupt. 3 – You can advocate the abolition of marriage, live as you like and let the “Village” raise the children you bring into the world. 4 – Or, you can bend your will to the will of God and serve your family. Without the fear of eternal accountability for disobeying God, what motivates you to obey God, especially when you do not feel that your needs...
Recent Comments