A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer’s trust in the Lord and reliance of His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The honey of life...
When we bless God for mercies, we usually prolong them. When we bless God for miseries, we usually end them. Praise is the honey of life which a devout heart extracts from every bloom of providence and grace.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Thankfulness to God is...
Thankfulness to God is a recognition that God in His goodness and faithfulness has provided for us and cared for us, both physically and spiritually. It is a recognition that we are totally dependent upon Him; that all that we are and have comes from God.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
What are we to do with the Sabbath?
The Old Covenant Sabbath was only a covenant sign for Israel under the Old Covenant. It was a key marker of Israel’s identity in comparison with everyone else around them who did not acknowledge Yahweh as the one true creator God. It was a sign of the covenant with God which celebrated God’s sole creative and redemptive glory. There were very strict regulations and penalties (death) pertaining to the Sabbath (Ex 16:23-30; 20:8-11; 31:12-18; 35:2-3; Lev 16:31; 23:3, 24, 32, 39; 25:2-6; Num 15:32; 28:9-10; Dt 5:12-15; Ezek 46:1-15).
Under the New Covenant (Col 2:16-17; Rom 14:5) we are not to judge over days, but rather follow the conscience. All of the Old Covenant observances (i.e. dietary laws, festivals, holidays, and special days) are not essential anymore since their reality was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the mediator of a better covenant (Col 2:16-23). They were merely types and shadows that pointed forward to their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Heb 10:1). Jesus Christ is a Sabbath rest (Heb 4:9-10).
In Acts (13:14, 27, 42, 44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4) the church never gathered together on the Sabbath but only on the Lord’s Day (Ac 20:7; 1 Co 16:2). They went to the synagogues on the Sabbath to preach the gospel because that’s where and when the Jews gathered.
Nowhere does the New Testament change the Sabbath to Sunday and Paul discourages in every way the observance of special days as mandatory (Gal 4:9-11; 3:10; Rom 3:20; 6:14-15; 7:1-6).
If someone insists on the Sabbath, ask “If we are going to be consistent then why don’t we kill those who break the Sabbath? If the Sabbath regulations have been changed then where are the New Covenant Sabbath regulations for the church today?” There are none.
Go with your conscience pertaining what day or days you worship on and don’t make it mandatory.
In Him,
Miles
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Family Devotional
Found this awesome book called Long Story Short. It is a devotional book laid out for you by the day. It goes over a portion of Scripture on Monday and Tuesday and then on Wednesday it tells how the passage relates to the gospel. Thursday focuses on questions and then on Friday you go over either a Psalm or a portion of Scripture from the Prophets and see how the passage looks toward Christ. It is really good for younger children. Teenagers can still learn from it too, as you can probe them more, have them help lead or just pair them up with a younger child. I found it at my church's book store but for those of you who do not have one of those you can find it at Westminster Bookstore.
Carrie
Carrie
A Closer look at the Doctrine of Hell
The doctrine of hell is one of the most highly contested doctrines in Christendom. The thought of eternal conscious torment is totally foreign to our culture and all but rejected by most, if not all, liberal theologians. However, not only is the doctrine of hell affirmed by Scripture and orthodox to biblical Christianity, it’s a vital aspect of the gospel.
The point of this article is to demonstrate that there is a Hell, which is a real place of eternal conscious punishment for the wicked, it’s reasonable, and that we all deserve to go there.
What exactly is Hell, and is its existence taught in Scripture? Hell is simply the means of God’s justice against the wicked. Jesus said that “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” (Matthew 5:29). According to Matthew 13:42, when Christ comes back he will throw people into “the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”. Jesus told the Pharisees, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” (Matthew 23:33).
Matthew 25:30 speaks of hell as a place of “outer darkness” where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (see also Matthew 8:11-12). At the final judgment, Jesus will say to those who are not saved, “Depart from me, you cursed, into eternal fire”, and they “will go away into eternal punishment” (Matthew 25: 41 and 46). Jesus refers to Hell as “the unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43) “where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48).
Speaking of fearing God, Jesus said, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” (Luke 12:5). The parable of the rich man and Lazarus indicates that there is a place of conscious punishment (Luke 16:22-24). The rich man ends up begging Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house to warn his family “lest they also come into this pace of torment” (Luke 16:28). 2 Peter 2:17 tells us that “the gloom of darkness has been reserved” for the wicked (see also Jude 13).
Revelation 14:9-11 speaks of a place where God’s wrath is going to be “poured full strength into the cup of his anger” and sinners will be “tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb”. The “smoke of their torment” will rise up “forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night”. Revelation 19:3 says that their smoke will rise forever. Revelation 20:10 and 21:8 speak of a lake of fire and sulfur where the wicked “will be tormented day and night forever and ever”.
Opposition to eternal punishment. Some opponents of eternal torment such as the Seventh Day Adventists teach that punishment in Hell is conscious, but not eternal. According to this view (called Annihilationism) after the wicked have suffered the penalty of God’s wrath for a time, God will “annihilate” them so that they no longer exist.
Those who hold to the teaching of Annihilationism argue from Philippians 3:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 and 2 Peter 3:7 that references to the “destruction” of the wicked implies that the wicked will no longer exist after they are destroyed. They would also argue that eternal torment is inconsistent with the love of God, and that eternal punishment is unjust because it doesn’t fit the crime.
However, the above passages used to support Annihilationism do not necessarily imply the cessation of existence. Destruction can refer to the detrimental effects of final judgment on unbelievers. For instance, the word translated “destruction” used in Philippians 3:19 and 2 Peter 3:7 is also used in Matthew 26:8 to describe the precious ointment “wasted” (in their estimation) on Jesus by a woman while they were in Simon the lepers house. The ointment did not cease to exist but rather ceased to be of any use to the disciples (see also Mark 14:5). The word translated “destruction” used in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 and 2 Thessalonians 1:9 is also used in 1 Corinthians 5:5 to describe the “destruction” of the flesh of the man who was to be put out of the church. We are certainly not to understand that his flesh (i.e. his sinful nature) was to cease to exist even though he may have suffered in his body.
Does Scripture teach that Hell is eternal? In Matthew 25:46, the parallel between “eternal life” and “eternal punishment” indicates that both states of existence after judgment will be without end (see also Daniel 12:2). In verse 41 Jesus describes Hell as being an “eternal fire” and in Mark 9:48 Jesus said that in Hell “the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched”. Again, in Revelation chapters 14, 19, and 20 the state of the wicked in Hell is defined with terms like “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night”, “The smoke from her goes up forever and ever”, and “they will be tormented day and night forever and ever”.
Mark 3:29 tells us that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”. Isaiah 33:14 speaks of “everlasting burnings”. And Jude 7 tells us that condemned sinners will undergo “a punishment of eternal fire”.
How is hell reasonable, and why does sin deserve eternal torment?
Hell must fit the crime for it to be just. What makes a crime bad is my obligation to the contrary.
For example, if I was to disrespect someone who deserves a whole lot of honor, than my disrespect would be really bad because my obligation to honor this person was great.
If I didn’t honor Adolf Hitler, you probably wouldn’t think I did anything wrong. But, if I dishonored the President of the United States, you would think that I did something very wrong. Why? Because of my obligation to give well deserving honor to the President of the United States.
Now think of God who is infinitely deserving of love, honor and obedience. If I hated, disrespected, and disobeyed God then my crime would be infinitely bad because my obligation to honor, love, and obey God is infinite (Mark 12:28-30).
Even the smallest sin is infinitely evil. Think of a string that is infinitely long. Compared to an aircraft carrier, even though the string is small, it is infinitely larger than the aircraft carrier which if finite.
Hell is reasonable because crimes against God are so serious and severe they deserve the most serious and severe punishment. Every sin is a violation of an infinite obligation, and is therefore deserving of infinite punishment. The punishment does fit the crime. Anything else would be unjust and thus unloving. Remember, the more severe the crime, the more severe the punishment. God is infinitely worthy and holy, sin is infinitely vile, and therefore Hell is infinitely and justly unpleasant.
The challenge remains for Annihilationists: According to Scripture alone, how does a finite punishment actually pay for all of the unbelievers sin and satisfy God’s justice?
“Here’s the bad news if the Bible is right and that there is eternal justice: You will find yourself standing before the judgment throne of a holy God, who has seen every sin you have ever committed. Think of it. A holy and perfect Creator has seen your thought-life and every secret sin you have ever committed. You have a multitude of sins, and God must by nature carry out justice. Ask Him to remind you of the sins of your youth. Ask Him to bring to remembrance your secret sexual sins, the lies, the gossip, and other idle words. You may have forgotten your past sins, but God hasn’t. Hell will be your just desert (exactly what you deserve), and you will have no one to blame but yourself. This is the claim of the Bible. If you don’t believe it, it is still true. It will still happen. Yet, there is good news—incredibly good news. We deserve judgment, but God offers us mercy through the cross. He paid our fine so that we could leave the courtroom. He destroyed the power of the grave for all who obey Him. Simply obey the gospel, and live. By doing that you will find out for yourself that the gospel is indeed the "gospel truth." Jesus said that if you obey Him, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (see John 8:31,32). Get on your knees today, confess and forsake your sins. Tell God you are truly sorry, then trust the Savior as you would trust yourself to a parachute.” - Ray Comfort
In Him,
Miles
Friday, November 25, 2011
A thought on gratitude...
Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.
A.W. Tozer
Teknia: Cyber Monday Sale. 20% Off Everything
To get into the spirit of the holidays, I thought we should have a good sale on Teknia's Greek and Hebrew resources. So all day Monday, midnight to midnight, we will have a 20% off sale on everything. This is the last sale before Christmas, so now is a good time to stock up on gifts that really matter. Just enter the coupon code CYBERMONDAY2011 and receive the 20% discount on your entire order (excluding shipping). Check out http://www.teknia.com/
Want to learn enough Greek to use your study tools without all the memory work of learning Greek? Do Greek word studies, understand your Strong's Bile, and read better commentaries and dictionaries? Then these video lessons are the way to go. Online access to these lectures are also on sale: $49.95 39.96. Click here for more information.
Walk through the Basics of Biblical Greek textbook with the author and let him teach you. This class will give you the basics you need to know in order to read the Greek Testament. Be sure to use the free online class. Access to the online lectures are also on sale: $89 $71.20). Click here for more information.
This resource already has a 20% reduction, so get another 20% off the list prices. The ultimate gift. All of Bill Mounce's resources for learning biblical Greek: Textbook. Workbook. Videos. Summary sheet. Flashcards. Answers. Click here for more information.
Bill Mounce
The Biblical Greek Primer ($79.95 Now $63.96)
Want to learn enough Greek to use your study tools without all the memory work of learning Greek? Do Greek word studies, understand your Strong's Bile, and read better commentaries and dictionaries? Then these video lessons are the way to go. Online access to these lectures are also on sale: 
Learn the Basics of Biblical Greek Video Series ($149 Now $119.20)
Walk through the Basics of Biblical Greek textbook with the author and let him teach you. This class will give you the basics you need to know in order to read the Greek Testament. Be sure to use the free online class. Access to the online lectures are also on sale: 
Everything You Need to Learn Greek ($216.77 Now $173.52)
This resource already has a 20% reduction, so get another 20% off the list prices. The ultimate gift. All of Bill Mounce's resources for learning biblical Greek: Textbook. Workbook. Videos. Summary sheet. Flashcards. Answers. Click here for more information.Bill Mounce
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Lights in the library
In my library I have profitably dwelt among the shining lights, with which the learned, wise, and holy men of all ages have illuminated the world.
Richard Baxter
Richard Baxter
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Eternal Blessedness
The Lord Christ comes to convinced sinners with His invitation: “Poor creatures! How sad is your condition! What has become of the beauty and glory of the image of God in which you were created? You are now in the deformed image of Satan and even worse, eternal misery lies before you. Yet look up once more; behold Me! I will put Myself in your place. I will bear that burden of guilt and punishment which would sink you to hell for ever. I will be made temporarily a curse for you, that you may have eternal blessedness.”
John Owen
Meditation on the Glory of Christ, 1684, ch. 6.
John Owen
Meditation on the Glory of Christ, 1684, ch. 6.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Let your tears fall...
"Let your tears fall because of sin; but, at the same time, let the eye of faith steadily behold the Son of man lifted up, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, that those who are bitten by the old serpent may look unto Jesus and live. Our sinnership is that emptiness into which the Lord pours his mercy."
C.H. Spurgeon
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
What to do with the Word of God...
"There are four things that we ought to do with the Word of God – admit it as the Word of God, commit it to our hearts and minds, submit to it, and transmit it to the world."
William Wilberforce
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
When a man receives the Gospel...
"When a man receives the Gospel, his entire life begins to be lived out in a different context, and that context is Christ" Paul Washer
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