I found this website that I thought could be useful. From what I understand, the ESV is a very good translation. I like the audio section especially for pronunciation of some of the tougher names and words.
esvonline.org
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Judgment without Mercy
James 2:12-13 (New International Version)
12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
This verse was discussed at a recent lunch I had with a very dear friend who is an encouraging believer. We have many freedoms in Christ, such as the music we listen to, the books we read, the beverages we drink. Yet we are commanded in the bible to lead a life that is Christ-like. Jesus was more often than not a compassionate and merciful teacher. I certainly know that I can be judgmental, but shudder to think if I don't show mercy- then God will show me no mercy on my judgment day. It's good to know God's word tells us that mercy triumphs over judgment.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Question
A question to think about.........
In Exodus 34:6-7 it reads The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty go unpunished..........
God, who FORGIVES wickedness, rebellion and sin.....yet promises that the guilty will not go unpunished.
So the question is, How are those apparent contradictory statements resolved?
In Exodus 34:6-7 it reads The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty go unpunished..........
God, who FORGIVES wickedness, rebellion and sin.....yet promises that the guilty will not go unpunished.
So the question is, How are those apparent contradictory statements resolved?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Our Way
I saw a quote from a church blog the other day, that I really liked.
It read "We (society) tend to want a relationship with God our way, the problem is "our way" is sin -- which by definition is the lack of conformity to God's way. God and His holy standard are what they are. Wishing or wanting it to be the way We'd prefer it wont change the reality of God and His revealed standard."
We often try to justify our standards by comparing ourselves to other people or what is considered the moral values of our time. The problem with that is the standards set by man change with time and circumstances. God's standard does not change.
Take the time and get to know God's standard, then you will know how depraved we truly are and why we need Jesus in our lives. Do not be mislead into thinking that you are a good person based on society's standard, read what God says.
It read "We (society) tend to want a relationship with God our way, the problem is "our way" is sin -- which by definition is the lack of conformity to God's way. God and His holy standard are what they are. Wishing or wanting it to be the way We'd prefer it wont change the reality of God and His revealed standard."
We often try to justify our standards by comparing ourselves to other people or what is considered the moral values of our time. The problem with that is the standards set by man change with time and circumstances. God's standard does not change.
Take the time and get to know God's standard, then you will know how depraved we truly are and why we need Jesus in our lives. Do not be mislead into thinking that you are a good person based on society's standard, read what God says.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
True Faith?
One of the obstacles in the church today, is that people profess to be Christians with their mouths but not with the lives. Many would argue that all you have to do is "believe" in Jesus and you will be saved. They often even use scripture to back up that claim. John 6:47 says "he who believes has everlasting life. However, when people use verses like that (meaning like that is the end of the story) they tend leave VITAL parts of the story.
Example. A transcript of announcers at Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers game in overtime.
....field goal try to win the game. There's the snap, it up and it's GOOD!!! BEARS WIN!!! BEARS WIN!!
If someone (especially a bear fan) was browsing through that transcript and read BEARS WIN they would often conclude that the Bears won. However, if they kept reading, and in fact read the whole transcript, they would realize that the Bears right tackle jumped offsides, they were backed up 5 yards, and missed the next field goal attempt. Green Bay took over, drove it down the field, and won the game.
Some may be saying, "Come on Mike we have heard for years, all you have to do is believe in Jesus. We go to church, we have been baptized, etc. etc. How can you say that is not enough?"
Well, as always, we have to go to God's word. Read Acts 8: 9-24 the story of Simon the Sorcerer. We see that Simon was man that was highly regarded because of his magic arts. in Samaria, he attracted big crowds from all different segments of society from the smallest to the greatest. They even claimed that he was the power of God. Then Phillip came to Samaria preaching the word, healing the sick, and casting out demons. And the people heard Phillip and were being baptized, men and women alike.
Then we see that even Simon the Sorcerer BELIEVED and was BAPTIZED. He started following Phillip and was amazed at what Phillip was doing.
We then see that the apostles came to pray for and were laying hands on the people and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this, he wanted this power that the apostles had. He offered to pay for this power. We see Peter's response to him in verse 20 "May your silver PERISH WITH YOU, because you thought that you could obtain the gift of God with money. Peter goes on to say that your heart is not right before God.
Peter tells him to repent, and says that Simon is still stuck in bondage to sin. Instead of doing what Peter instructs him, Simon tells Peter to pray for him. Simon was unwilling to to do what is necessary to be approved by God.
So we see that Simon BELIEVED was BAPTIZED and even followed Phillip for a while. However, he did not want give up his previous life and truly follow Christ as Christ said in 10:39 "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Even though Simon believed, he did not want to give up his previous sinful life and because of this he will perish as Peter said.
Do not be deceived into thinking that you are saved only because you believe in Jesus. We not only have to accept Christ as our Savior but also accept Christ as Lord of our lives. He is what we live for. Until next time.
Example. A transcript of announcers at Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers game in overtime.
....field goal try to win the game. There's the snap, it up and it's GOOD!!! BEARS WIN!!! BEARS WIN!!
If someone (especially a bear fan) was browsing through that transcript and read BEARS WIN they would often conclude that the Bears won. However, if they kept reading, and in fact read the whole transcript, they would realize that the Bears right tackle jumped offsides, they were backed up 5 yards, and missed the next field goal attempt. Green Bay took over, drove it down the field, and won the game.
Some may be saying, "Come on Mike we have heard for years, all you have to do is believe in Jesus. We go to church, we have been baptized, etc. etc. How can you say that is not enough?"
Well, as always, we have to go to God's word. Read Acts 8: 9-24 the story of Simon the Sorcerer. We see that Simon was man that was highly regarded because of his magic arts. in Samaria, he attracted big crowds from all different segments of society from the smallest to the greatest. They even claimed that he was the power of God. Then Phillip came to Samaria preaching the word, healing the sick, and casting out demons. And the people heard Phillip and were being baptized, men and women alike.
Then we see that even Simon the Sorcerer BELIEVED and was BAPTIZED. He started following Phillip and was amazed at what Phillip was doing.
We then see that the apostles came to pray for and were laying hands on the people and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this, he wanted this power that the apostles had. He offered to pay for this power. We see Peter's response to him in verse 20 "May your silver PERISH WITH YOU, because you thought that you could obtain the gift of God with money. Peter goes on to say that your heart is not right before God.
Peter tells him to repent, and says that Simon is still stuck in bondage to sin. Instead of doing what Peter instructs him, Simon tells Peter to pray for him. Simon was unwilling to to do what is necessary to be approved by God.
So we see that Simon BELIEVED was BAPTIZED and even followed Phillip for a while. However, he did not want give up his previous life and truly follow Christ as Christ said in 10:39 "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Even though Simon believed, he did not want to give up his previous sinful life and because of this he will perish as Peter said.
Do not be deceived into thinking that you are saved only because you believe in Jesus. We not only have to accept Christ as our Savior but also accept Christ as Lord of our lives. He is what we live for. Until next time.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Welcome Facebook Friends
Welcome facebook friends. I hope that this works. I started this blog a few months ago, feel free to take a look at it from the beginning.
Well, for the most part, I started this blog as a way to share what the Lord is doing in my life with family and close friends. I have been reluctant to get involved in the facebook frenzy due to some of the downside possibilities that are associated with being exposed to the world.
However, there are some upsides also. After some deep thought, I realized that trusting God is not just something that we say. If we are truly committed to being obedient to God's word, then the challenges that come with that are to be welcomed. For as Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
It is my desire to do God's will, and when I start to worry about this earthly tent, then I am not trusting in God as I should. As I step out in faith, my prayer is that God would be glorified in this new experience.
However, there are some upsides also. After some deep thought, I realized that trusting God is not just something that we say. If we are truly committed to being obedient to God's word, then the challenges that come with that are to be welcomed. For as Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
It is my desire to do God's will, and when I start to worry about this earthly tent, then I am not trusting in God as I should. As I step out in faith, my prayer is that God would be glorified in this new experience.
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