Real Life Forever In Christ


Bible Translations
April 29, 2008, 7:42 pm
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I recently told a friend that I was going to go back and re-look at the “KJV Only” argument. I am going to make an honest unbiased attempt in order to conclude correctly. I would like your help. This study is more about facts than opinions so please try your best to stick to the facts. That is not to say that opinions aren’t welcomed in this discussion.

To kick off I would like to discuss the following questions:

1. What is the difference in inspiration and preservation?

2. Is there a preserved inspired English version?

3. If there is one, could there be more than one?

4. Are there inspired versions in other languages? If so, do they agree with one particular English version?

5. If there isn’t one, which one is most acceptable to God, and where do we draw the line? Is there more than one that is acceptable to God?

6. What disqualifies a particular version?

7. What are the differences in the original manuscripts used?

8. What makes one version better than another?

9. What is considered to be an error in translation?

10. Are there errors in the KJV?

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Faith Promise Missions Conference News
April 28, 2008, 1:44 am
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Our conference was last week, but I’ve been waiting to see what the Lord was going to do through our church before I wrote about the outcome. Our missions offerings increased by 50% from last years commitments. After a great conference the church decided to support Steve Keith-The Jersey Plant, and Chuck Fernandez-Turkanan Tribes-Kenya, Africa. We will be sending out an additional $600.00 per month for these two great works! We are also praying that God will hook us up with the right man/team and begin a new church plant before the year is out. We are praying and looking for the right opportunity. If you have a man or team in mind that is looking for a sending church send me an email!

Going into all the world is the command!

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Post Modern Ministry?
April 17, 2008, 2:46 pm
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Note: This post is in the context of attracting people and seeing lives changed [what is the best way for this to happen?].
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS POST SHARE YOUR REASON AND SCRIPTURAL POSITION. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SPECIFIC MEANINGS JUST ASK. DON’T MISUNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYING (this can easily be done and be my fault for not communicating clearly).
 
I cannot find one scripture where the early church or any of the inspired writers give a hint of asking the question, “Does anyone have any ideas of what we can do to attract people?”. I’m sorry, but as much I would like to find a scripture, I can’t even find a scripture that says churches (church services) are to be relevant to the culture or the times. Obviously some things are common sense, such as musical instruments. We don’t use bag pipes in American churches like they might in Scotland. Other than a few common sense issues the idea of being relevant is very limited. When I say relevant I’m referring to relevant appeals to a particular culture. For example, the new generation is consumed with video games, so if we want to be relevant and appeal to them we must install video games in our churches. This is not to say that we shouldn’t have activity times with our youth. After all, kids are kids and kids like to play! We need to hang out and have bonding time, this is not the issue I’m writing about. DONT MISUNDERSTAND THE WAY I AM USING THE WORD RELEVANT!
 
Now, what I do find (which is very different from the above) are churches praying for boldness, inspired writers encouraging prayer and holy living, and our Savior’s last words to Go preach the gospel.
 
 ”24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
     ‘Why did the nations rage,
     And the people plot vain things?
26     The kings of the earth took their stand,
     And the rulers were gathered together
     Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” Ac 4:24-31
 
 
What did Noah do with the people of His generation? You must agree that things were as bad as they get in those days. What did he do to attract people? Did he build a corral and offer free dinosaur rides? No, he preached the message he received from God! The Bible says Noah was a preacher of righteousness. He actually built an ark which probably made people laugh and call him crazy. No one got on that ark with him besides his family!
 
“and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;” 2 Pe 2:5
 
What did Paul, a man who met Jesus in person, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tell Timothy? How about, “Preach the Word”.
 
Let me be clear that there is a major difference in just preaching and preaching with passion led by the Spirit of God. Preaching was never meant to be a duty or a job requirement. God does not call preachers because He wants to create new employment! Too many preachers get up week after week having spent very little time in prayer, with absolutely no passion connected to their message and think they have fulfilled God’s purpose in their life. It’s time for some repentance in the pulpit!
 
We don’t need new ideas today, we need to use the formula that God has given us in His Word. A lost person who accepts Jesus = the indwelling Spirit of God + knowledge of truth + conviction of truth + holy living + consistency + being a witness + passion + prayer = LIGHT-INFLUENCE!
 
One last question for another example… How do you reach a drunk? Do you become a drunk or start drinking with him/her? NO!
 
Paul said,
“to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.” 1 Co 9:22-23
 
Paul wasn’t saying that he became a drunk to the drunken, a drug addict to reach the drug addict, and he wasn’t even referring to what he did in a church service or meetings of prayer and worship. This verse is a reference to his personal approach to people. Paul met people where they were. He understand their condition and mind set and ministered to them accordingly. In the context it was an issue of abiding by Jewish Law to reach the Jews and the Law of Christ to reach non Jews. Don’t quote this passage to justify a new post modern ministry!
 
There is much debate about the traditional church verses something new. Yes there is a lot of baggage in the traditional church, but the “traditional church” is not the problem, it’s the baggage, lack of vision, and missing passion!
THIS POST IS NOT ARGUING A PROBLEM WITH DOING CHURCH OUTSIDE OF A TRADITIONAL MINDSET (style).
Read the comments to further understand the point. I’m interested in your thoughts please.
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Faith Promise Missions Conference
April 16, 2008, 10:37 pm
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Saturday we will have our second FPMC at Temple. I am excited and praying that we will double our missions offerings this year like we did last year! Please pray with me especially if you can’t attend.

We will kick off our international dinner at 5 PM and then session one will follow. Our guest speakers will include, Steve Keith – The Jersey Plant, Chuck Fernandez-Africa, and Jeremy Flanagan- Fayetteville Arkansas. Bro. Wayne Stringer and James Calhoun will be sharing their ministries also. We will finish some where around noonish Sunday afternoon.

Come join us for a Spirit filled conference about preaching the gospel and planting churches from home to the utter most parts of the earth!

Note to Aaron: I got your message today and I will call you some time tomorrow. Your idea sounds good-bring it on!

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The Move- My Wednesday Night Message in Ezra
April 9, 2008, 9:25 pm
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“THE MOVE”
Ezra 7:1-10
 
I hear stories all the time about people moving from one state to another, one country to another, and while they are all unique situations, they are all the same in that something caused them to “close up shop” in one place and head to the other.
 
When I left home for the first time, it wasn’t to go to college or head to the pipeline, it was to go to the mission field! The circumstances were just as difficult no matter the reason for the move. I remember driving off all alone with tears in my eyes, but believing that God was leading me every step of the way. I wanted to be involved in church planting and wanted to learn more about it. I moved to Indiana to do a 6 month internship then later I ended up in Canada. A verse that I believe describes these moves is in Psalms.
 
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
 And He delights in his way.” Ps. 37:23
 
We make all kinds of decisions and moves in life, but why? What is the reason and motive for doing so?
 
1. We change jobs
 
2. We change schools
 
3. We change degrees
 
4. We change churches
 
5. We move to different locations, etc.
 
What is it that determines our decisions?
 
Application: Ezra was making a BIG move! He was leaving Babylonian Captivity and moving to Jerusalem. While this wasn’t a very difficult decision to make, it would have been the wrong decision if God had not ordered this MOVE!
 
a. It was God’s will that they were in captivity in the first place, and it would have done no good to be in Jerusalem without the blessing of God.
 
b. Read 7:13 – It seems that everyone in exile had the opportunity to return to Jerusalem with Ezra, but we know for certain that not everyone returned with Ezra. This means that there was a crowd that decided to stay in Babylonian captivity, rather than go to Jerusalem and worship Jehovah God in the newly dedicated temple!
 
c. The hardest part when discussing the idea of MOVING is understanding whether or not is God’s will to MOVE or STAY. In this story we find both those who made the RIGHT decision and those who made the WRONG decision.
 
d. Sometimes it takes a while to arrive at the place where God is leading us! According to verse (9), it took Ezra and those who returned with him (4) months to get to Jerusalem. I can’t imagine the anticipation! I’m sure Ezra would have loved to be in Jerusalem at the snap of his finger.
 
c. It took Israel 40 years to get to the Promise Land. Sometimes our desires to move to certain places are pure, and one day they may very well come to pass, but there are occasions when God isn’t ready for us to be where we think we should, even though it is his will down the road! Sometimes we aren’t ready for THE MOVE and God uses the mean time to prepare and mature us for the BIG MOVE later on.
 
I. Ezra Was Led By The Hand of God v.9
 
a. Some might say there is nothing better than being a millionaire, but there is! Having “the good hand of God” upon you is the most amazing feeling (blessing or experience) that exists in this life!
 
b. Ezra had the power, protection, and guidance of God. The hand of God is a descriptive phrase with several implications. (power, protection, blessing, cursing, guidance)
 
ONE THING YOU DON’T WANT IS THE HAND OF GOD AGAINST YOU!
“Wherever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for calamity, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed.” Judges 2:15
 
“that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God 3 forever.” Joshua 4:24
 
c. One of my favorite verses in scripture is Romans 8:31-
 
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
 
Application: As children of God, one of the privileges that we have is to be led and protected by the Hand of God. We can always live in the Will of God as long as we are willing to be led by the Hand of God.
 
HOW CAN WE KNOW THAT THE HAND OF GOD IS UPON US? HOW CAN WE KNOW WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD MOVE OR STAY?
 
II. Ezra Prepared His Heart v.10
 
a. Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Law of God.
 
Word Study… “prepared” – This root of the original word used concretely connotes being firmly established, or being firmly anchored. The first meaning is applied to a roof which is “firmly established” on pillars.
 
Note: In the overall context of the three things stated in verse (10) It was as if Ezra had tied himself to the Word of God with a chain.
 
First, Ezra anchored his heart to the idea or understanding that he must seek the God and His Law with all of His being!
 
b. Ezra prepared his heart to do what God’s Word says.
 
Second, Ezra anchored his heart in the concept that it is not good enough simply to know what the Word of God says, but one must DO WHAT IT SAYS!
 
c. Ezra prepared his heart to accept the calling of God on his life. This calling was to teach the Word of God to the people of God!
 
Third, Ezra anchored his heart to the task that God had given Him. He took the calling on His life from God very serious!
 
Note: verses 1-5 tell us that Ezra was from the linage of Aaron, the tribe of Levi. Ezra was a priest and preacher of righteousness (a word used to describe Noah which also makes sense of Ezra). When you take the Word of God and proclaim it to sinful man you are preacher of righteousness!
 
Application: The reason Ezra was going back to Jerusalem was to teach the people of God the Law of God. His MOTIVE was based on his calling, and his MOVE was based on the will of God to teach the people of God in Jerusalem. Ezra knew it was time to MOVE because His heart was right with God.
 
HOW CAN WE KNOW THAT THE HAND OF GOD IS UPON US? HOW CAN WE KNOW WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD MOVE OR STAY?
 
Conclusion:
 
1. When our hearts are right with God we can sense his hand leading us to accomplish His purposes.
 
2. We must prepare our hearts with the pure motive of seeking and pleasing God. The Move should always be about God and not us. Every decision we make should be about God and not us! What might please us, does not necessarily please God. Let me add, what pleases God does not always please us!
 
3. Knowing and Doing the will of God does not necessarily mean doing what feels good at the time. Just because something feels right does not mean it is. (Example) My move to Colorado.
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AYC Jesus Painting By Chad Graves
April 7, 2008, 3:52 am
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Every mark on all three sections of this painting was made by the mark of a cross!

All four of you guys did a great job speaking this year!

Kristian and the band were great too!

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Apologetics
April 4, 2008, 8:20 pm
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Apologetics is not simply about making things complicated. Apologetics is not about introducing a dose of confusion into the Gospel in order to make it sound more profound. It is about communicating the profundity of the gospel so as to remove the confusion surrounding it. Apologetics is a spiritual discipline not an academic exercise. It is one that is to be lived out in every way! I Peter 3:15-16

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Fellowship
April 4, 2008, 6:40 pm
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 I need not add anything to Jesus’ teaching on fellowship presented by John, his closest disciple and friend.

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1:3-7

Fellowship does not exist between Jesus and the individual who is living in a sinful lifestyle.

One cannot have fellowship with the church when living in a sinful lifestyle.

There is a difference in being a sinner and living a lifestyle of sin. No need to be confused on this subject!

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God’s Plan Always Has A Provision Package
April 3, 2008, 9:23 pm
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Ezra gives us a great picture of the God we serve. He is a God with a PLAN. Not only that, He is also a God who PROVIDES for His PLAN. Do what God has told you to do and He will provide all the resources needed to get the job done and more! Read Ezra 5-6 for a great study of a wonderful God!

 He’ll take care of those that stand in the way too!

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