September 25
Revival: It Requires Obedience
But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord," and not do the things which I
say?
--Luke 6:46
It is my conviction that much, very much, prayer for and talk about
revival these days is wasted energy. Ignoring the confusion of
figures, I might say that it is hunger that appears to have no
object; it is dreamy wishing that is too weak to produce moral
action. It is fanaticism on a high level for, according to John
Wesley, "a fanatic is one who seeks desired ends while ignoring the
constituted means to reach those ends."...
The correction of this error is extemely difficult for it entails
more than a mere adjustment of our doctrinal beliefs; it strikes at
the whole Adam-life and requires self-abnegation, humility and cross
carrying. In short it requires obedience. And that we will do
anything to escape.
It is almost unbelievable how far we will go to avoid obeying God.
We call Jesus "Lord" and beg Him to rejuvenate our souls, but we are
careful to do not the things He says. When faced with a sin, a
confession or a moral alteration in our life, we find it much easier
to pray half a night than to obey God. The Size of the Soul, 18-19.
"May this never be true of my life, Lord! I see the futility; I'm
convinced of the need. Now enable me by Your Spirit to live this
obedience. Amen."
Thursday, September 25, 2008
iWorship, iLive, iServe, iGive, iExpress
We are planning for the retreat for next year and possibly more likely will be in
The DBOB blog has been reconstructed. I just added the dbob08 photo link to sidebar of this blog. Enjoy. Hope all men who read this will be motivated to find way to establish men retreat in your area. If you have any questions or need assistance in how to establish one, then feel free to respond. This blog will continue time to time. Stay tuned to sporadic thoughts and ideas how we can keep fired up for Lord. May God Bless you.
2008 Deaf Men Retreat is underway
The retreat will help men get together and experience worship. The keynotes that will be presented will help us men to become better leaders and an example in where they worship. We are pumped up.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Character building for DBOB
Reading:
James 1:3-5 (Msg) You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.
-----------------------
The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren,
“Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings. This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit and it is how your character develops.” (p175)
I thank the Lord I read this article in studylight. This helps us to build and re-evaluate how we have been living our lives. Living in DC Metro area has interrupted our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. With power of Holy Spirit, I pray that this weekend for Men retreat will change us men. Here is the article I suggest read I thought was applicable.
http://www.liveasif.org/view.cgi?type=w&list=20060911002
Lord, I pray that this article will help us men to be prepared for the retreat. In your Son’s name Amen!
James 1:3-5 (Msg) You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.
-----------------------
The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren,
“Don’t wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings. This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit and it is how your character develops.” (p175)
I thank the Lord I read this article in studylight. This helps us to build and re-evaluate how we have been living our lives. Living in DC Metro area has interrupted our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. With power of Holy Spirit, I pray that this weekend for Men retreat will change us men. Here is the article I suggest read I thought was applicable.
http://www.liveasif.org/view.cgi?type=w&list=20060911002
Lord, I pray that this article will help us men to be prepared for the retreat. In your Son’s name Amen!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Bonding with Christian Friends
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24, New International Version
Thoughts
Phil Ware Who are your closest friends? Good friends are hard to come by in a world of superficial acquaintances and shallow relationships. "Hanging with the crowd" can give us a false sense of belonging, but often leaves us wounded and alone in times of trouble. Open, honest, supportive, and loving relationships don't happen without investment. Ask the Lord to lead you to close friends in his family. Minister to and serve those around you. Listen to their requests, faithfully upholding them in prayer. Spend time in Christian service with other servant believers. Join yourself to a Bible study or accountability group. As you do, trust that God will give you that "stick-through-thick-and-thin-friend." Companions are easy to find, but can be unreliable. Development of Christian friends is an investment of effort and time, but they are friends with whom we will share forever.
Prayer
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Precious God, I thank you for my friends (include the names of friends). Please, dear Father, lead me into the life of someone this week who needs me to be his or her friend. Bless all those who read Today's Verse with a Christian friend that will help them in their walk with you. Thank you so much, dear Father, for my greatest friend, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
_______
Taken from heartlight.org
Proverbs 18:24, New International Version
Thoughts
Phil Ware Who are your closest friends? Good friends are hard to come by in a world of superficial acquaintances and shallow relationships. "Hanging with the crowd" can give us a false sense of belonging, but often leaves us wounded and alone in times of trouble. Open, honest, supportive, and loving relationships don't happen without investment. Ask the Lord to lead you to close friends in his family. Minister to and serve those around you. Listen to their requests, faithfully upholding them in prayer. Spend time in Christian service with other servant believers. Join yourself to a Bible study or accountability group. As you do, trust that God will give you that "stick-through-thick-and-thin-friend." Companions are easy to find, but can be unreliable. Development of Christian friends is an investment of effort and time, but they are friends with whom we will share forever.
Prayer
Enter your email address above to subscribe to the email edition of Today's Verse. Receive a FREE daily dose of God's inspired word from the New International Version, along with some devotional thoughts and a prayer, delivered directly to you every morning.
Precious God, I thank you for my friends (include the names of friends). Please, dear Father, lead me into the life of someone this week who needs me to be his or her friend. Bless all those who read Today's Verse with a Christian friend that will help them in their walk with you. Thank you so much, dear Father, for my greatest friend, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
_______
Taken from heartlight.org
Monday, October 01, 2007
Verse for all Churches that are struggling
Failure and Success: Paralysis From Past Mistakes
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy
toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so
far has He removed our transgressions from us.
--Psalm 103:11-12
Do not let any of the things of the world or past mistakes paralyze
your hearts. I believe there are Christians who have allowed some of
their past mistakes to paralyze them. You were so bright and cheerful
in your spiritual life once, and then you made some tragic mistake or
had something happen to you. You got out of it somehow, and prayed
and wept your way out of it. But it did something to you, and now you
cannot lick it. Past wrongs that have been done to you, past
failures, times you thought you were going to win and did not, or
present sins or discouragement-these things are not mental at all.
They are deeper than that; they are subconscious, and they prevent us
from believing.
I most urgently exhort you, and I trust God Almighty to deliver you;
to sponge that out of your spirit; to sponge that out of your heart
so you are not hindered by unbelief.
Rut, Rot or Revival: The Condition of the Church, pp. 162-163
"Lord, I'm surely not the only one who desparately needs this
reminder this morning. So many of us struggle with past sins,
failures, or hurts. I pray for all of my fellow-servants who need
deliverance, who need to have the past sponged out of their spirits
and hearts. Amen."
www.litmin.org
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy
toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so
far has He removed our transgressions from us.
--Psalm 103:11-12
Do not let any of the things of the world or past mistakes paralyze
your hearts. I believe there are Christians who have allowed some of
their past mistakes to paralyze them. You were so bright and cheerful
in your spiritual life once, and then you made some tragic mistake or
had something happen to you. You got out of it somehow, and prayed
and wept your way out of it. But it did something to you, and now you
cannot lick it. Past wrongs that have been done to you, past
failures, times you thought you were going to win and did not, or
present sins or discouragement-these things are not mental at all.
They are deeper than that; they are subconscious, and they prevent us
from believing.
I most urgently exhort you, and I trust God Almighty to deliver you;
to sponge that out of your spirit; to sponge that out of your heart
so you are not hindered by unbelief.
Rut, Rot or Revival: The Condition of the Church, pp. 162-163
"Lord, I'm surely not the only one who desparately needs this
reminder this morning. So many of us struggle with past sins,
failures, or hurts. I pray for all of my fellow-servants who need
deliverance, who need to have the past sponged out of their spirits
and hearts. Amen."
www.litmin.org
Fired up for DBOB 2007
For all you fired up (spiritual) men out there on the Net, get pumped up! I'm looking forward for great retreat this coming October 2007. I am fired up and ready to do Lord's work. Also I am looking forward for feedback, testimonies, and chit chat from you men out there. Proverbs 27:17. http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=proverbs+27%3A17&version1=31 Apologize for unable to update for last several months. It has been rough summer. Just bought house then just moved last month, got the blues towards end of summer. Just now getting settled in this new environment, son in new school, and making goals for 2007/2008.
We (Deaf Ministry) are ready for 2nd Annual Deaf Band of Brothers retreat. For more information go to http://www.fxcc.org/deaf/mano_retreat/manoretreat.asp
We have been doing men's bible class for last few weeks during Sunday school. We are utilizing "Wild at Heart" book written by John Eldridge. It's a great book. This will be first experience using the manual long side with it also prepared by John Eldridge. His main focus are Men's heart and want us to take it slow and try to digest what he suggest us do. This is unique bible class. We are so busy and caught up in society of what men's profile ought to be. Question who are we? By digging into our hearts we can find out how we can improve our relationship with God among many things God has plans for us. Our idea of what we ought to be might be interfering with God's plan? There are few men who are very motivated and would fight for the one they love, God!. Then there are some who are struggling to understand or have issues in their lives possibility. Each person are unique way God designed us. I believe with this class we can use each other to mature spiritually. I hope with this class we are taking can help us men to analyze themselves and someday can be involved more for Lord's work.
I thank brother in Christ in
Lord,
Thank you for being patient with us. We have so much to do with little time we all have left in this world. Help us men to open ourselves to you more. I know these men want to have a deep understanding and better relationship with you and with each other. That’s what the Deaf Band of Brothers is all about. Guide us men in way you see we ought to be. We should be Wild at Heart like David after Your own heart. I praise you; your Son's name Amen.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Electricity vs Faith
This article taken from Ray Comfort newsletters in www.wayofthemaster.com. This is very good article on how people are skeptic of electricity same way they would be not believing there is a God.
Three Wise Fools
There were once three men who considered that they were very wise. They lived in a country that had only just been introduced to electricity.
One dark night, the men were invited by Edison Electric to see a demonstration of electrical power, because it was well-known that the three of them were skeptics when it came to electricity being a reality. The reason they denied its existence was because they didn't believe in anything that could not be seen. These men were rationalists, and electricity was said to be invisible1. They refused to believe in something that couldn't be scientifically demonstrated.
When they entered the dimly light demonstration room, they were cordially met by a representative from Edison Electric. As they looked around, they saw that a large lamp sat on a table in the middle of the room. Also on the table were a candle and a leather-bound book called The Owner's Manual. It was published by the electric company.
The representative welcomed them and excitedly explained that the lamp had the power to light up an entire large room, with the simple flick of a switch.
He said, "Gentleman, electricity is a modern marvel. To see it demonstrated, simply flick the switch on the lamp. You will be amazed. It will light up the entire room. The manual on the table is to give further instruction to you, if you decide to purchase the lamp." He then left the room to speak with other interested clients.
All the men needed to do to see the miracle of electricity, was to flick the switch on the lamp.
Instead, they sat down at the table, and one of them opened The Owner's Manual and began to cynically look at its pages. It began with a short biographical sketch of the famous inventor, Thomas Edison.
The chapters were made up as follows:
A diagram of the position of the switch on the lamp
Background information on how electricity was discovered
Hydroelectric power, pictures of huge dams, and how they produce electricity
Diagrams of copper wiring and magnets, explaining how they are able to turn raw energy from moving water into invisible electricity
How electrical wiring carries the generated power to our homes
Electrical sockets, power cords, and other accessories.
As the man continued to flick through its pages, it was as though the lamp that sat on the table in front of them didn't exist. Then they began to talk. The conversation went like this:
"I don't believe that there is any such thing as 'electricity.' I've never seen it. It's supposed to be invisible and yet produce light. How ridiculous! Where's the evidence? If I can't see it, it doesn't exist."
"I totally agree," said the man holding the book. "It says here on page 17 that Edison was considered to be a genius. I don't think so. I've studied his life and he had so many failures, it was ridiculous. He didn't even 'invent' the light bulb. He only invented the first commercially practical incandescent light.
"Who published this book anyway? I doubt if they know anything about Thomas Edison. I notice here that it says that his wife's name was 'Mary Stilwell.' That's just not true. I'm and educated man. I did a thesis on the man's life once, and I know that his wife's name was definitely 'Mina.'"2
"Interesting . . . I read somewhere that he used this so-called 'electricity' to kill animals3. Is that true?"
The man holding the book said, "It's true. There has been a great deal of evil done in the name of this so-called 'electricity.' That's why I don't want to have anything to do with it.
"The mess-up with his wife's name isn't the only mistake in this publication. It says here that Edison believed in God's existence. That's absurd! I have read many times that he was an atheist4. This manual is a mess. It's filled with contradictions.
"And they expect us to believe in this invisible force called 'electricity . . . .' That has to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard! I don't know about you, but I'm getting out of here."
His two friends heartily agreed. Electricity didn't exist. It seemed to make sense to them that the reason it didn't exist was because they believed that The Owner's Manual was filled with mistakes.
The three men stepped out of the room into the darkness, still wise in their own eyes. They even decided to form a club that was devoted to telling other people that electricity didn't exist.
From, The Atheist Delusion (Bridge Logos Publishers), Ray Comfort (due to be published, July, 2007).
____________________
1"What is electricity? It is a form of energy, evident from the fact that it runs machinery and can be transformed into other types of energy such as light and heat. It is invisible. During an electrical storm, we do not see electricity. We observe the air being ionized when the electricity travels through it." www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/
2 On December 25, 1871, Edison married 16-year-old Mary Stilwell, whom he had met two months earlier. They had three children. Mary Edison died on August 9, 1884. On February 24, 1886, at the age of thirty-nine, Edison married 19-year-old Mina Miller in Akron, Ohio. They also had three children.
3 One of the more notable occasions when Edison electrocuted animals was when in 1903, his workers electrocuted an elephant at Luna Park, near Coney Island, after she had killed several men and her owners wanted her put to death. His company filmed the electrocution. Thomas Edison thus introduced the practice of execution by electrocution. http://encyclopedia.calendarhome.com/
4 Thomas Edison was a freethinker, claiming he did not believe in "the God of the theologians," but did not doubt that "there is a Supreme Intelligence." He is quoted, "I believe that the science of chemistry alone almost proves the existence of an intelligent creator." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison
Three Wise Fools
There were once three men who considered that they were very wise. They lived in a country that had only just been introduced to electricity.
One dark night, the men were invited by Edison Electric to see a demonstration of electrical power, because it was well-known that the three of them were skeptics when it came to electricity being a reality. The reason they denied its existence was because they didn't believe in anything that could not be seen. These men were rationalists, and electricity was said to be invisible1. They refused to believe in something that couldn't be scientifically demonstrated.
When they entered the dimly light demonstration room, they were cordially met by a representative from Edison Electric. As they looked around, they saw that a large lamp sat on a table in the middle of the room. Also on the table were a candle and a leather-bound book called The Owner's Manual. It was published by the electric company.
The representative welcomed them and excitedly explained that the lamp had the power to light up an entire large room, with the simple flick of a switch.
He said, "Gentleman, electricity is a modern marvel. To see it demonstrated, simply flick the switch on the lamp. You will be amazed. It will light up the entire room. The manual on the table is to give further instruction to you, if you decide to purchase the lamp." He then left the room to speak with other interested clients.
All the men needed to do to see the miracle of electricity, was to flick the switch on the lamp.
Instead, they sat down at the table, and one of them opened The Owner's Manual and began to cynically look at its pages. It began with a short biographical sketch of the famous inventor, Thomas Edison.
The chapters were made up as follows:
A diagram of the position of the switch on the lamp
Background information on how electricity was discovered
Hydroelectric power, pictures of huge dams, and how they produce electricity
Diagrams of copper wiring and magnets, explaining how they are able to turn raw energy from moving water into invisible electricity
How electrical wiring carries the generated power to our homes
Electrical sockets, power cords, and other accessories.
As the man continued to flick through its pages, it was as though the lamp that sat on the table in front of them didn't exist. Then they began to talk. The conversation went like this:
"I don't believe that there is any such thing as 'electricity.' I've never seen it. It's supposed to be invisible and yet produce light. How ridiculous! Where's the evidence? If I can't see it, it doesn't exist."
"I totally agree," said the man holding the book. "It says here on page 17 that Edison was considered to be a genius. I don't think so. I've studied his life and he had so many failures, it was ridiculous. He didn't even 'invent' the light bulb. He only invented the first commercially practical incandescent light.
"Who published this book anyway? I doubt if they know anything about Thomas Edison. I notice here that it says that his wife's name was 'Mary Stilwell.' That's just not true. I'm and educated man. I did a thesis on the man's life once, and I know that his wife's name was definitely 'Mina.'"2
"Interesting . . . I read somewhere that he used this so-called 'electricity' to kill animals3. Is that true?"
The man holding the book said, "It's true. There has been a great deal of evil done in the name of this so-called 'electricity.' That's why I don't want to have anything to do with it.
"The mess-up with his wife's name isn't the only mistake in this publication. It says here that Edison believed in God's existence. That's absurd! I have read many times that he was an atheist4. This manual is a mess. It's filled with contradictions.
"And they expect us to believe in this invisible force called 'electricity . . . .' That has to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard! I don't know about you, but I'm getting out of here."
His two friends heartily agreed. Electricity didn't exist. It seemed to make sense to them that the reason it didn't exist was because they believed that The Owner's Manual was filled with mistakes.
The three men stepped out of the room into the darkness, still wise in their own eyes. They even decided to form a club that was devoted to telling other people that electricity didn't exist.
From, The Atheist Delusion (Bridge Logos Publishers), Ray Comfort (due to be published, July, 2007).
____________________
1"What is electricity? It is a form of energy, evident from the fact that it runs machinery and can be transformed into other types of energy such as light and heat. It is invisible. During an electrical storm, we do not see electricity. We observe the air being ionized when the electricity travels through it." www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/
2 On December 25, 1871, Edison married 16-year-old Mary Stilwell, whom he had met two months earlier. They had three children. Mary Edison died on August 9, 1884. On February 24, 1886, at the age of thirty-nine, Edison married 19-year-old Mina Miller in Akron, Ohio. They also had three children.
3 One of the more notable occasions when Edison electrocuted animals was when in 1903, his workers electrocuted an elephant at Luna Park, near Coney Island, after she had killed several men and her owners wanted her put to death. His company filmed the electrocution. Thomas Edison thus introduced the practice of execution by electrocution. http://encyclopedia.calendarhome.com/
4 Thomas Edison was a freethinker, claiming he did not believe in "the God of the theologians," but did not doubt that "there is a Supreme Intelligence." He is quoted, "I believe that the science of chemistry alone almost proves the existence of an intelligent creator." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison
Ministry port addicts
My fellow brothers in Christ, I just now read Mark Lowenstien's blog and its worthy reading. Check it out.
http://marklowenstein.blogspot.com/2007/05/ministering-porn-addicts.html
2 Corinthians 10:5:3 -6 (MSG)
The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
http://marklowenstein.blogspot.com/2007/05/ministering-porn-addicts.html
2 Corinthians 10:5:3 -6 (MSG)
The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Get hooked on the Truth
Preaching: Nibbling at the Truth
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. --Galatians 1:10
This is one of the marks of our modern time--that many are guilty of merely "nibbling" at the truth of the Christian gospel.
I wonder if you realize that in many ways the preaching of the Word of God is being pulled down to the level of the ignorant and spiritually obtuse; that we must tell stories and jokes and entertain and amuse in order to have a few people in the audience? We do these things that we may have some reputation and that there may be money in the treasury to meet the church bills....
In many churches Christianity has been watered down until the solution is so weak that if it were poison it would not hurt anyone, and if it were medicine it would not cure anyone! I Talk Back to the Devil, 30-31.
"Lord, don't ever let me be guilty of watering down the truth or playing to the crowds, concerned about my 'reputation' or 'money in the treasury.' Amen."
[Toser – litmin.org]
----------------------------------------
I like what Toser mentions above. Are we nibbling on the gospel or are we allowing it to consume our life? I can see an example of nibbling. The flow of deaf people tends to come and go in churches either at the church I attend or where I grew up. People look for a church to belong or a club? I just wonder if they are just nibbling on the truth or looking for a fancier fish hook. It’s a boring fish hook, the Truth? The meat on the hook is the Sound Doctrine, the Bible. I have seen many who come to church or bible studies and not satisfied or seeking to have their questions answered in way they want it to be answered. I know that there are times I may not agree to every lesson given during worship, but I seek at the verse, meaning of lesson, and accept the message. I look at the worm and ask God how can I effectively use this Truth and apply it to myself and the world. I don’t want to nibble the Truth but consume the whole truth.
Funny, as I mention how some people looking for their tasteful desire of how a church shall run or in type of order compared to denominations. I can recollect to day when deaf minister, Mark Lowenstein, encouraged an all Men and Women bible class. During the men’s bible class, each men was given a passage to study and take turn to lead the bible study. This was the one of the best opportunity that God has done for me. I felt like a baby bird kicked out of nest and compelled to fly. I was compelled to lead the bible study and if it weren’t for that class, I may never have the encouragement or motivation to write these blogs or lead any ministries. I can still remember the passage. This passage below supports the same concept as I have stated in this blog
2 Tim 4: 3-5
You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant. [MSG]
So every person reads this blog, my message to you, Get Hooked on Jesus.
[Toser – litmin.org]
----------------------------------------
I like what Toser mentions above. Are we nibbling on the gospel or are we allowing it to consume our life? I can see an example of nibbling. The flow of deaf people tends to come and go in churches either at the church I attend or where I grew up. People look for a church to belong or a club? I just wonder if they are just nibbling on the truth or looking for a fancier fish hook. It’s a boring fish hook, the Truth? The meat on the hook is the Sound Doctrine, the Bible. I have seen many who come to church or bible studies and not satisfied or seeking to have their questions answered in way they want it to be answered. I know that there are times I may not agree to every lesson given during worship, but I seek at the verse, meaning of lesson, and accept the message. I look at the worm and ask God how can I effectively use this Truth and apply it to myself and the world. I don’t want to nibble the Truth but consume the whole truth.
Funny, as I mention how some people looking for their tasteful desire of how a church shall run or in type of order compared to denominations. I can recollect to day when deaf minister, Mark Lowenstein, encouraged an all Men and Women bible class. During the men’s bible class, each men was given a passage to study and take turn to lead the bible study. This was the one of the best opportunity that God has done for me. I felt like a baby bird kicked out of nest and compelled to fly. I was compelled to lead the bible study and if it weren’t for that class, I may never have the encouragement or motivation to write these blogs or lead any ministries. I can still remember the passage. This passage below supports the same concept as I have stated in this blog
2 Tim 4: 3-5
You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant. [MSG]
So every person reads this blog, my message to you, Get Hooked on Jesus.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Litmin: God & Men
May 18
Preaching: Truth Divorced From Life
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. --James 1:22
There is scarcely anything so dull and meaningless as Bible doctrine taught for its own sake. Truth divorced from life is not truth in its Biblical sense, but something else and something less....
No man is better for knowing that God in the beginning created the heaven and the earth. The devil knows that, and so did Ahab and Judas Iscariot. No man is better for knowing that God so loved the world of men that He gave His only begotten Son to die for their redemption. In hell there are millions who know that. Theological truth is useless until it is obeyed. The purpose behind all doctrine is to secure moral action....
Any man with fair pulpit gifts can get on with the average congregation if he just "feeds" them and lets them alone. Give them plenty of objective truth and never hint that they are wrong and should be set right, and they will be content.On the other hand, the man who preaches truth and applies it to the lives of his hearers will feel the nails and the thorns. He will lead a hard life, but a glorious one. May God raise up many such prophets. The church needs them badly. Of God and Men, 25-28.
"Lord, I want to be one of those bold prophets, faithfully declaring Your word, no matter the consequences. Enable me, by Your Spirit, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
Preaching: Truth Divorced From Life
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. --James 1:22
There is scarcely anything so dull and meaningless as Bible doctrine taught for its own sake. Truth divorced from life is not truth in its Biblical sense, but something else and something less....
No man is better for knowing that God in the beginning created the heaven and the earth. The devil knows that, and so did Ahab and Judas Iscariot. No man is better for knowing that God so loved the world of men that He gave His only begotten Son to die for their redemption. In hell there are millions who know that. Theological truth is useless until it is obeyed. The purpose behind all doctrine is to secure moral action....
Any man with fair pulpit gifts can get on with the average congregation if he just "feeds" them and lets them alone. Give them plenty of objective truth and never hint that they are wrong and should be set right, and they will be content.On the other hand, the man who preaches truth and applies it to the lives of his hearers will feel the nails and the thorns. He will lead a hard life, but a glorious one. May God raise up many such prophets. The church needs them badly. Of God and Men, 25-28.
"Lord, I want to be one of those bold prophets, faithfully declaring Your word, no matter the consequences. Enable me, by Your Spirit, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
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