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Fire in the Bones
Current mood: happy


Another Lessons in Living devotion from Woodrow Kroll. I loved this one!

Jeremiah 20:9

Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.

Fire in the Bones

For more than 20 years a fire has been burning deep within the earth of Centralia, a small community of 1,200 residents in the heart of Pennsylvania's anthracite coal fields. Fifteen federal, state and local agencies have spent more than $3.5 million to extinguish the flames without success. You can touch the earth and feel the heat. I have driven through the town to see smoke rising from the ground. Government officials have stopped trying to put out the fire; it's a futile task.

It was a fire like this that smoldered in the depths of Jeremiah's soul. After being accused and abused, God's servant decided simply to ignore the need around him. If people didn't want to hear what God had to say, he would oblige them. But it wasn't that simple. As he shut up God's words within him, they felt like a fire burning in his bones. Nothing was able to extinguish the flames. He had to express what God put in his heart.

This should be true for every Christian too. We should have a burning message in our hearts. Like an underground fire, God's message of salvation should be burning a hole in our souls. It is not a message the world will like to hear, and there may even be unpleasant consequences if we share it. But when a fire burns deep within you with no hope of quenching it, you simply must share the message. People need the Lord.

Pray that God will fan the flames in your soul today. Look for every opportunity to share the message in your heart, and when you find those opportunities, take them. Touch people's lives with your fire and spread the flames.

It's better to be ablaze for Jesus than smolder in quietness.

Sand & Stone: Thanks, Jenny Beth!

SAND & STONE

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE.

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH

THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:

"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE ".

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?"

THE FRIEND REPLIED
"WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES
SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT."

LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT...

SWEARING AND CURSING?



Matthew 15:11: "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."

Matthew 15:17-20: "Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man."

CURSE WORDS REVEAL THE CONDITION OF A MAN'S HEART

Jesus taught in the Bible that when a man curses or uses profanity it is a sign of evil that was in that man's heart. It is popular today for both men and women to curse. They never think of it as an evil condition in their heart, but rather a small thing that everyone does. These small words of cursing the Bible says, will defile the whole man if they are not repented of and stopped. Cussing and using the name of the Lord in vain causes one to become defiled.

Popular movies and T.V. are responsible for causing society to accept foul language as the "norm." They portray cursing as a way to vent anger and tell people off. The very attitudes behind cursing show that it is not right as cussing is used to demean and put down people. These words can be mild expletives to horrible blasphemies. Since the devil is the one who inspires these evil utterances he causes people to use our Lord's name in the most ungodly ways.

In the modern definition of cursing, usually people use the name of Jesus or God in vain and swear with curses such as "go to hell" or "damn you." These words clearly show it is an evil coming from the devil. Have you ever wondered why people do not not use the names of gods of other religions when they curse? The names that the devil hates and uses people to voice hateful curses are "God," "Christ," "Jesus Christ" and "Jesus." Terms about hell and heaven are also used in derogatory ways. The very misuse of these words should prove the existence of God and the reality of a heaven and hell.

Even Christians have been tricked into using bad expressions when they are upset. They are take-offs of the Lord's names such as: "Geeze" or "Jes" (short for Jesus), "Good Gosh," "Gosh Darn," "Lordy." This is known as "shoot cussin." There are other terms used, which we will not repeat, as they are vulgar profanities. However, these illustrations make the point.

Many good movies have been ruined for Christians because the script writers thought adding profane language (which they refer to as adult language) somehow made the movie more relalistic. Adults nor children should use bad language if we are to be like our Lord. We do not have to use curse words to emphasize our intentions.

Colosians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."

Matthew 5:37: "But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

If swearing and cursing have been a problem in your life ask the Lord to forgive you and deliver you so that your words may be good and loving words full of grace and truth. He will help you overcome this problem through His power.

Matthew 12:34-36: "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

Psalm 19:14: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

Great Story

A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to
choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided
to do something different.
He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I
have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives were
shocked, but the boss continued." I am going to give each one of you
a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed,
water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have
grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants
that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others,
received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story.

She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.
Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After
about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about
their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept
checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five
weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a
plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by--still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had
killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had
nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just
kept watering and fertilizing the soil. He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company
brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife
that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest
about what happened.
Jim felt sick at his stomach, it was going to be the most
embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He
took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed
at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were
beautiful--in all shapes and sizes.
Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues
laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young
executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees,
and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be
appointed the next CEO!" All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the
back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial
director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought,
"The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his
seed
- Jim told him the story

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and
then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief
Executive!

His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his
seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said?

Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room
a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it
back to me today.

But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible
for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and
plants and flowers.

When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another
seed for the one I gave you.
Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot
with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new
Chief Executive!"

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust If you plant goodness, you
will reap friends If you plant humility, you will reap greatness If
you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment If you plant
consideration, you will reap perspective If you plant hard work, you
will reap success If you plant forgiveness, you will reap
reconciliation If you plant faith in your Higher Power, you will reap
a harvest So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what
you will reap later.


..
.. FOOTER ... FOOTER ... FOOTER ... FOOTER ... FOOTER ... FOOTER ... FOOTER -- ..

Blessed Redeemer


'Father, forgive them!' thus did he pray,

E'en while his life-blood flowed fast away;

Praying for sinners while in such woe-

No one but Jesus ever loved so.

Blessed Redeemer! Precious Redeemer!

Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree;

Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading-

Blind and unheeding-dying for me!



Avis B. Christiansen

Baptized Today 2-3-08
Current mood: blessed
Category: Religion and Philosophy


I wrote this to read at our baptism today! It was such a good service!

Praise the Lord!!! Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty!!! Amen!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bucky and I have chosen to be baptized today in order to keep the commands of the Lord spoken by Peter in Acts 2:38 saying, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." As we feel that neither of us had a truly repentant heart when we were baptized before, we believe that the Lord has put it upon our hearts to be baptized again.

With this action, we are committing our lives and dedicating our marriage to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We vow to strive to keep this commitment, through the working of the Holy Ghost in our hearts, until our last breath. We vow to henceforth bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, training them up in the way they should go so when they are old, they will not depart from it. We vow to keep fellowship with other believers and to teach the Gospel to all who have ears to hear. We vow to use the gifts and talents and resources that the Lord will bless us with to further advance the coming kingdom of Christ. We vow to use our tongues only to edify the body of Christ. We vow to study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We know that all things come together for the good of those who love Christ, and we know that if we love Him, we will keep His commands. We love Him because He first loved us. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The lives which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the son of God, who loved us, and gave Himself for us. No returning in us you'll find, we're too near our heavenly home where we'll abide. Praise the Lord, we are REDEEMED!!!

Prayer Changes Things!!!!!
Current mood: blessed
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Most of you know, I've been praying for my husband for a long time now. We have had a lot of problems but God had promised me that he would be redeemed. I got so discouraged sometimes, seeing the way that he was acting, knowing that the Lord had so much better things planned for him.

My mother in law requested that we all go to church with her Sunday. She wanted us to go in honor of Donnie, who passed away last Tuesday. He always prayed that his children would come to know and serve the Lord. She said he prayed 3 times a day, for the kids, for the neighbors, for the church. Well, when we got there Sunday, a neighbor lady and a good friend of the family got up to sing a song, they said for the Thomas family. They were going to sing Robe of White, a beautiful song. They didn't even get started good before Bucky jumped up out of that seat and marched down there to the altar. Most of the church jumped up and ran down there with him! We've been praying for him so long!!!! I've been telling God, just give me something, I've been praying so long, I feel like something's hindering my prayers, please, Lord let me know you're listening!!! The Lord touched him in a mighty way that morning, he rededicated his life to the Lord, he had been "saved" as a teenager.

Next thing I know, after he got up, his sister's husband was on his knees crying out ot the Lord and rededicated his life also!!! Then, after service, the other sister's husband stayed to talk to the preacher and wound up doing the same thing!!!!! What a day that was!!! Our preacher said he thought we done turned pentecostal!!!! There was shouting and jumping up and dancing!!!! It was wonderful!!! Not likely to be forgotten in these parts for a while!

Continue to pray for the family that we will be strengthened in the Lord, that we will continue to draw closer together, that the Lord will deliver us all from temptation. I'm so excited, looking for many more blessings from the Lord through the coming days! Thank you all so much for your prayers! God bless and Agape, Annie

----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: As In The Days B4 The Flood ~~~~~~sandra
Date: Dec 28, 2007 9:02 PM


so true...
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: Patti (Watcher on the Wall)
Date: Dec 28, 2007 2:23 PM


Heaven is My Home
Date: Dec 28, 2007 1:07 AM


THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN

By David J. Stewart

"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." â€"Hebrews 3:13

Oh listen my friend, Satan is a beautiful liar. The Devil's business is sin, and he's an expert at destroying people's lives. Sin will always cost you more than you intended to pay, it will take you further than you intended to go, and it will keep you longer than you intended to stay. The Devil always shows young people the neon lights, the glamour and the good times; but he never shows them where sin leads... death, destruction and damnation!

So many young people have learned the hard way that all of Satan's apples have worms. You cannot eat at the Devil's table without getting food poisoning. You cannot warm yourself at the Devil's fire without getting burned. Satan shows us the neon lights of Sin City; but he doesn't show us the graveyard. Satan shows us the booze, women and good times; but he doesn't show us the deadly auto-accidents, the incurable venereal diseases and the lifetime of shame and regret that often accompany sin.


THE DEVIL IS A BEAUTIFUL LIAR!

The Word of God tells us in 2nd Corinthians 11:3-4, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." Ironically, most religious people are woefully ignorant of this truth. All around the world today, people are falling prey to Satanic deceptions which appear to be of God; but they are not. This includes false religions, false prophets, false teachings, false christs and false bibles.

The Word of God informs us in John 8:44 that Satan is not only a big liar, but also the father of all liars. We read in John 10:10... "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Satan wants to destroy usâ€"to kill, steal and destroy our life. The easiest way for Satan to accomplish this is by leading us into sin. James 1:15 says, "...sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Sin brings deathâ€"physical, emotional and spiritual death. Sin causes sickness in all of these areas.

Satan repackages sin to make it look appealing, just as a master fisherman disguises his deadly hook with cleverly placed bait. So oftentimes, we don't see that razor-sharp hook until it's wedged into our mouth and we're being reeled in for the slaughter. With the invention of condoms and other contraceptive devices, fornication and adultery have spread to epidemic levels in America. Although the rate of venereal disease has decreased, the divorce rate and sexual sins are skyrocketing. Romans 1:32 warns us that sin brings God's judgment! America is a land of adulterers who love adulterous movies, adulterous late night shows and pornography. This is apostasy, i.e., a departure from God and His Word. Do not be deceived my friend, God will judge sinners!

Satan convinced Eve that there would be no consequences for her sinful action; but the Devil lied. Eve was their first feminist, who disobeyed God and then influenced her husband to disobey God. They were punished by God for their sin. Carefully notice what Genesis 3:6 says... "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was PLEASANT TO THE EYES..." Is this not the neon lights of Las Vegas? Is this not the physical beauty of a whorish woman? Is this not the wealth and prosperity promised by greedy con artists today? There's a popular saying when you go into the ocean... "If it's pretty, don't touch it, because it's probably poisonous." Please consider the words of Proverb 20:17... "Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." What you pay for sin in cents, it will cost you in dollars. Satan is an expert liar, who makes sin look irresistible; but in the end, you will be sorry and you'll pay for it dearly.


THE PLEASURES OF SIN ONLY LAST FOR A SEASON

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."

Just as Moses, each and every Christian needs to commit their life to God. Moses saw the wickedness being committed in Pharaoh's house day-after-day, but in his heart he feared God. When Moses came to years (i.e., became a man), he wanted out of Pharaoh's house, and chose to live for God instead. Where are you at in life? Are you still young, living in the cesspool of iniquity? Or have you come to your senses, deciding to live for the Lord Jesus Christ?

Please understand that holy living is not required to be saved. Romans 4:5 plainly states... "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." We are saved by faith alone in the Son of God. Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15;6:23), paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19). I am not talking about that. Many deceivers are preaching a false gospel today which require people to give up their sins to be saved. Can anyone give up their sins? No, of course not. Even the best of Christians are still prone to sin, and do. Certainly, a believer in Christ should have a desire to live right, and God commands us to do so; but the gift of salvation is not conditioned upon anything more than our sole faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

Moses didn't become a Christian by leaving Pharaoh's house (i.e., a life of sin). Moses left Pharaoh's house because he was already a Christian and God had been dealing with his heart, and now Moses wanted to live for God. You don't get saved by coming out of a life of sin. You get saved by coming as a sinner to the Savior. Once we are in Christ (i.e., saved), then God deals with our heart and helps us makes the necessary changes if we yield to Him (2nd Corinthians 5:17; 1st Peter 2:2; Romans 12:1,2).

We read in Ecclesiastes 12:1, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." Go ask the folks rotting away in some nursing home if they are having fun. Go ask the man with incurable disease caused by sin if it was worth it. Go ask the woman who lost her pretty face in an alcohol-related accident if she still enjoys getting drunk and partying. You see, sin only lasts for a season. Oh, the deceitfulness of sin! The Devil always pays with counterfeit money.


AMERICA IS DOOMED BECAUSE OF SIN

America could be converted and brought back to God; but she won't be, because America's churches are spiritually dead, dried up and dysfunctional. Even the best pastors today are woefully ignorant concerning the evils of the Communist New World Order, the sinister involvement of the Bush Administration in orchestrating the 911 attacks, and the forming police state in America. Every pastor in America should be crying aloud against these evils, rallying their congregations to spread-the-word. Psalm 94:16, "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" If America's churches aren't proclaiming the truth, then who will? Sadly, there are more heathens rising up against the evildoers nowadays than Christians! The average pastor is simply making a living, trying not to offend his big-tithers and playing church. America is going to Hell and few Christians seem to care.

There is much we can do, but it needs to be done publicly. The church in Acts was very visible in the community. The Apostle Paul stated in Acts 20:20, "And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house." The truth needs to be preached outside of the church walls. Your community should know where your church stands on various important issues, including: salvation, the deity of Jesus, abortion, homosexuality, evolution, witchcraft, et cetera. Churches have the freedom of press and should mail flyers to the homes within their community every so often. Some people will get mad; but some will thank you and be reached for Christ. People need the truth. If you want to bring flyers directly to people's homes, place it with a rubber-band on the door-handle, as it is illegal to open anyone's mailbox.

Perhaps you feel that it is your churches' responsibility to "fit in" within the neighborhood, and you don't want to shove the truth down anyone's throat. If that's the way you feel, then you are an idiot. Satan is shoving devilution down children's throats every day in the public school system. Homosexuals are shoving their vile lifestyle in our face every time they parade up and down America's streets. Beer companies are shoving their booze advertisements in our face everywhere we go, deceitfully touting the disclaimer "Drink Responsibly," while the blood of millions of victims continue to cry out to God from the ground. Satan has been shoving lies, deceit and sin in our face for a long time; now it's time for us to awake to righteousness and fight back. The fastest way for Satan to gain control is to do nothing. This is exactly what Hebrews 3:13 is warning us about... "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." When we allow sin into our life, it is like cancerâ€"it grows and spreads until it becomes malignant, bringing death. Most people with cancer don't find out until it's too late. This is why cancer screening has become so popular nowadays. The Bible instructs Christians to look after one another. Jesus taught this lesson by washing His disciple's feet, and then asking them to do likewise.

Man's heart is desperately wicked and extremely deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). This is why sin is so deadly. Sin is so deceitful that the Israelites were committing adultery, murdering, stealing and worshipping idols, while claiming it was God's will... "Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?" (Jeremiah 7:9,10). This is America today! We claim to trust in God; but we spit on His Holy Word by legalizing murderous abortion, adulterous pornography, covetous gambling and the thieving Federal Reserve System. We claim to be "one nation under God" while we worship music and Hollywood idols. Woe unto the United States! Woe unto the wicked! Woe unto the sinful world!


CONCLUSION

Go to your local prison if you want to see the reality of sin. Ask the man who is serving 50-years in prison for armed robbery if it was worth it. Consider the man dying of AIDS. Ask the drunkard who lost his wife and children if Bud is Weiser. Consider the prostitute who has lost her beauty, health and dignity. Only a fool would glorify the pleasures of sin which in reality only lead to misery, pain and judgment. Oh, the deceitfulness of sin!

Consider the mother whose children were taken away because of her sinful carelessness and neglect. Consider the brainwashed public school child, who is sinfully taught through evolution that there is no Divine Creator. And then we foolishly ask why our kids are so immoral? This is the deceitfulness of sin. Educators sincerely think that children can grow up void of God and yet still have morals. It is impossible. Oh, how America has been deceived by Satan!

So many parents today fail to see the dangers of Harry Potter and The Golden Compass, both of which sinfully promote demonism and glorify witchcraft. Satan has deceived the masses to accept witchcraft as harmless. It is these same parents who see no harm in Rock bands like Led Zeppelin (who are Satanic to the core). American society is saturated with demonic influences today; but the average person is walking in utter darkness and cares not.

Do not be deceived friend, there is a penalty on sin, and that penalty is death (Romans 6:23). Many people get confused between Spiritual Death and the Second Death. We were all born spiritually dead because of the sin-nature passed down to us from Adam (Romans 5:12). This is why we need to be "born-again" in order to go to Heaven. Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you [every Christian] hath he quickened [made alive with the Holy Spirit], who were dead in trespasses and sins." Every unsaved person alive today is already spiritually dead; BUT they haven't been cast into the Lake of Fire yet, which is the Second Death (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8). You don't have to die the Second Death. You must be born again.

I don’t see anything wrong with that
Category: Religion and Philosophy




----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: As In The Days B4 The Flood ~~~~~~sandra
Date: Dec 28, 2007 9:07 PM


Great post!
Thanks...
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: Esther's Year [Ron Paul Revolution 2008]
Date: Dec 28, 2007 12:45 PM





Have you ever tried to convince another fellow believer about an ungodly practice and got the response, "I don't see anything wrong with that!" or, "what's true for you may not be true for everybody else" or, "I don't feel convicted about that" ? It's a common response among most of today's believers and the problem is with Final Authority.

The late Dr. Jack Hyles once preached a sermon on Final Authority. He listed 4 main final authorities that folks general accept to govern their lives. 1. The Church
2. Human Wisdom
3. Experience
4. The Bible

For much of the world's population, they let whatever their church or pastor teaches become their final authority. In other words, if your reading of scripture disagrees with the churches interpretation or creed, it is to be discarded. This accounts for Roman Catholicism, Jehovah's Witnesses (the Watchtower). Excuses about for not following the Bible properly with "That's not what my church teaches". ("Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord...are these" Jeremiah 7:4).

Number 2 is human wisdom. This includes most of psychology, psychiatry and science. Whatever can be seen,heard or felt or reasoned becomes the basis for accepting or rejecting any idea or belief. If a person can not feel a matter is right, it isn't. If it doesn't make mental sense, it is discarded. If it does not fit into accepted studies of science, it is rejected. If it appears illogical it is verbotten. This is the final authority for the "I don't see anything wrong with that" believer. Whatever can be reasoned, rationalized and determined logically is the basis of this person's authority.

Number 3 is experience. In this instance, what scripture or truth determines must stand against what the person has experienced. It is often heard, "I don't know much about the Bible or what you have to say about the subject, but I know what happened to me". This authority is prevalent among the charismatic churches. Instead of defending their so-called "gifts of the spirit" (tongues, "baptism in the Holy Ghost") in context with scripture, their actions are defended by what they have experienced and experience becomes the final authority.

And finally, the Bible. Thus saith the Lord is the final authority for this person in all matters of faith and living. Do you see anything wrong with drinking, the Bible says to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not drunk with wine. Do you see anything wrong with rock music, rap or country? The Bible says to be separate from the world and to avoid all appearances of evil and let whatever you do be done to the glory of God. Do you see anything wrong with divorce, fornication, adultery, pornography, ungodly friendships and dating? what is your final authority for your reasoning? Do you read your Bible daily? do you witness regularly? Do you attend church consistently? Do you have a solid prayer life? If not, what is your final authority for not doing so?

If you find yourself questioning those who confront you about a matter, before passing them off, ask yourself, what is my final authority?