Uncategorized
Here is a sneak peek of the Christ Revealed Documentary, that’ll start airing November 7, 2017. You can watch it for free by registering at their site.
What Does it Mean to “Follow” Jesus?
“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be.” (John 12: 26)
Virtually everyone has heard the expression “follow me” that Jesus constantly used during His earthly ministry. If fact, most of the time when the Gospel is preached, pastors invite people to follow Jesus as a synonym of becoming a Christian, and most of us have probably used this phrase many times as well.
The interesting thing is that we are so accustomed to this expression that we rarely ask ourselves if it really means what we think it means, or if Jesus meant something else when He called people to follow Him.
So, here’s an opportunity to compare what you think following Jesus is, to its real meaning in the Scriptures. According to the Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, following Jesus means:
“To follow Him who precedes us, join Him as his attendant, accompany Him. To join Him as a disciple, to side with His party. (Pay close attention to the following part) To cleave steadfastly to Him, conform wholly to His example in living, and if need be in dying also.”
Is this what you were thinking following Jesus means? Can you honestly say that you are a true follower of Jesus?
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16: 24)
Sources: blueletterbible.org
Learn How To Do Apologetics – Ravi Zacharias
What is Faith?
Faith is taking God at His word. It begins with the understanding that God exists, and that when we approach Him, good things will happen to us. Faith is trusting in what God has said in the Bible about Himself, about Jesus, and about us. This confidence in God is based on evidence and is by no means a leap in the dark. Some pieces of evidence for faith in God are the relentless desire of human beings to worship God, our sinful nature and the moral law that condemns it, the world in which we live and its natural laws, and the life and message of Jesus Christ. Without faith, the Bible tells us, it is impossible to please God. Faith is then, the assurance of things we expect to receive from God based on His promises, and the conviction that although He cannot be seen, God exists.
Nobody can generate faith by their own will since faith is a gift from God.
(Based on Hebrews 11:1 and 6; 1 John 5: 10; Exodus 20: 1-18; and Romans chapter 1 and Ephesians 2: 8)
On Calvin’s Definition of Religion
I find the words of Calvin in the second chapter of his “Institutes of the Christian Religion” not only biblical and challenging but very unnerving. As I endeavor to compare what he says with what there is in my heart, I realize with astonishment I’m not even close to what he describes as true religion. I’m as far away as the east is from the west, and I’m ashamed of it.
Yes, I profess to be a Christian, a child of God, an imperfectly faithful individual who wants more than anything else to glorify God. The very idea of being away from or without Him disgusts and worries me more than I can express. I have no focus more relevant in my life than to get closer and closer to Him until He calls me home. Yet, Calvin’s definition of religion strikes me as a very demanding, incredibly profound and transforming, even revolutionary concept, almost as if he is talking about something completely different from what I have experienced so far. Calvin has uncovered my face and I can’t recognize myself!
It is frightening, but at the same time very appealing. How can I acquire this kind of “heavenly reverence” for God? Is it possible to look at God in this way? if so, where do I begin? I have just embarked in this incredible adventure side by side with Calvin and I cannot wait to discover the answer, then I found this clue at the end of the chapter: “On all hands there is abundance of ostentatious ceremonies, but sincerity of heart is rare.”
Sincerity of heart...that’s where all begins…
Before the Beginning – The Aseity of God
Pastor R. C. Sproul explains why God is the only reasonable explanation for creation. He is simply brilliant!
Pornography: Addictive, Progressive and Deadly – Dr. James Dobson
My husband and I watched this video for the first time about 8 years ago and it sure made an impression on us. We waited until recently for our children to be old enough to watch it with us. Finally, last week we all sat together to watch it for the first time as a family. They were surprised to discover that what seems so innocuous is, in reality, so devastating. Through this video, God gave us the opportunity to discuss the repercussions of pornography in a casual way, which in turn encouraged our children to open their hearts to us and share their thoughts about it. Whatever you do, don’t miss it. It is way too important to let it pass! God bless you.
One Truth One God 