Sep 25 2010

The Intellectual Prophet


The first lie recorded in the Bible is found in Genesis 3 when Satan said to Eve though a serpent, “You will not surely die”. In essence he was saying to her, “You can’t trust what God says, trust yourself”.

In 2010, in pulpits and seminary class rooms, all across America there is a chorus of infidels who join with the evil one in his declaration that God’s words cannot be trusted. These sails with no wind have become so educated that they are convinced they can pick and choose which parts of the Bible record to believe and which parts to reject as only ancient myths, fables, and fabrications.

If Jesus Christ is not who the Bible says he is, and if he did not do what the Bible says he did, there is no Christianity, there is only religion. It seems in every church group there are those who cast doubt the reliability of the Holy Scriptures and the result is a message of good works, self improvement, religious ritual, and nice devotionals.

The most zealous legalist  does no more harm to the cause of Christ than those who teach that God will welcome anyone  into heaven whose morals are good, who helps the poor, has participated in certain rituals, and is a faithful church member.

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17,18)

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)

Apart from divine revelation we have no message from God. These words from Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, make it perfectly clear why men would stand in church pulpits and tell the listeners they can’t really trust the Bible, certainly not all of it. God’s truth is “folly to him (them)”, or foolishness, and they are “not able” to understand it.

I once took a New Testament course at a seminary in North Carolina and the professor gave no illusions that he believed the Bible. One day as many of us waited in line to eat in the school cafeteria the unbelieving New Testament professor was near where I was standing. A young Christian Church pastor called out to him, “If you don’t believe the Bible why don’t you quit and get into some other line of work? Even the drunks where I live believe the Bible is the Word of God!”

May our Lord help us to be faithful to the revelation given us and to boldly reject infidelity where ever we find it.

Royce Ogle

Sep 24 2010

A few words from Jesus to you.


“You are down a little this morning. I don’t like it when you are unhappy, you don’t have to be, let me remind you of a few things.

I love you and have since before the world was. I know you, your best and your worst, and I still love you intensely. You have never disappointed me because I have never been surprised by those times when you have done stupid things, destructive things, unloving things, even things that make me look bad. My love for you never wavers, it is always sure, steadfast, and certain. You can count on my love.

You are weak but I am strong and if you will, you can live today and every day in my strength. Remember, I created you and the world you live in and I still am in complete control. I know, from your vantage point it seems things are spinning out of control sometimes but never doubt me on this, I’ve got it covered. Just trust me.

I have all authority in heaven and on earth and I have overcome the world and all of its evil, even Satan is defeated, and I did it for you. I came to earth and lived a perfect life, and died as one who had broken every law, and I did it for you to give my Father glory. My Father has credited my perfect life to your account and all of your sins and short comings to my account. When I died, I died for you, in your place, so your sins are paid in full! Don’t fret, you are safe. You need not fear anything, even when its time for your physical body to die you will only enter into my life more fully.

There will never be one moment of any day when I am not with you and in you. I will never allow any circumstance that I don’t approve and I always and forever have your best interests in mind. It is not for you to understand, it is for you to rest in the knowledge that I am always for you. Take me at my word, I have overcome the world…for you.

It is my intention to provide for you everything you need to the tiniest detail. But I do want you to ask me for what you need and even for what you want. Understand that what you want is not always best for you so I’ll say no sometimes and other times I’ll be silent, but I’ll always do what is best for you and what gives glory to my Father.

You are safe. Your life is untouchable in my Father’s mighty hand. Your future is secure, your hope will soon be reality. You have the supernatural capacity to love like I love and to forgive like I forgive. So today, take a deep breath, drink deeply from the wells of joy my love and presence provide, and go love someone today. Remember as you go, you represent me so don’t depend on yourself, just completely depend on me, I’ve got everything covered.

Now, let’s have a great day together.”

Jesus

Sep 23 2010

Forgive!


Lord, how many times should we forgive someone? Jesus said:

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As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:13b)

Sep 20 2010

OUT OF THIS WORLD PEACE


“If I just didn’t have all these trials and tribulations in my life I could have peace.”

I have either thought or said something very much like this have you? I mean, how do you have peace of mind when things aren’t going well? Around some breakfast table a conversation goes like this.

Dad says,“They have told me at work we might have a lay off, or we will all have to take a reduced salary if we keep our jobs.” And mom says, “The dentist bill came for Jill’s braces it was $800.00! And the transmission in my car is doing funny stuff, the mortgage company called again…and…what on earth are we gonna do?”

Is it even remotely possible to have troubles like this and peace at the same time. Many people this week will leave a doctor’s office after having heard the words, “You have 3 to 6 months with treatment..”. What about that person? The answer is an emphatic YES! God’s brand of peace doesn’t depend one tiny bit on circumstances. People, places, and things are in a different category altogether.

You and I, as faith followers of Jesus, can have his peace right in the middle of the darkest night of our difficulty and the face of every disappointment people, places, and things send our way.

In the Bible in John 16 Jesus had been telling his followers that they should expect hatred from the world they will minister in. He then spoke to them about the Comforter who would come to walk along side them to comfort and guide. And he spoke of the time when their sorrow would be turned to joy at His return. Then at the end of this teaching He said these simple words.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

A simple, but powerful promise for those who are in Christ. Take a look at what He promised.

  1. “In” the world you will have tribulation. About this there is no debate. Christians and non-Christians alike share in all sorts of difficulties as long as we are on this planet alive. No person, no matter how good, how kind, how generous, is immune to problems. The sooner we accept this fact of life the better we will function.
  2. “In” Jesus you may have peace. There is no lasting peace outside of Jesus. Outside of Him circumstances rule the day and you are at the mercy of the fickle hand of fate. When people, places and things are good, you are good. And when they are not, you are not. However, when you are “in Jesus” circumstances and the adverse effects of people, places, and things can’t touch you in a peace stealing way. Why?
  3. Jesus has overcome the world! Satan is described in the Bible as the “god” of this world. Our war as Christians is against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. But, Jesus has overcome all of that! Remember when Jesus gave the great commission to his disciples? He began by saying “I have all power in heaven and in earth, therefore go…” There is no safer place to be than in the earth and “in” Jesus. Being in Him is the place of calm and peace.

Jesus said this two chapters earlier in John 14. As in the 16th chapter, after teaching about the coming of the Holy Spirit and describing the Spirit’s ministry he said these words.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Real, divine peace is a grace gift from Jesus to those who are His faith followers. It is not dependent on anything but His sure promise.

Next time, when things seem to be falling apart, when a loved one is dying, when business has failed, when people at church are fighting, find a solitary place and read these wonderful promises and by simple faith make them yours. Just take God at His word. To simple? Yes simple, but not to simple.

God gives you and I the right to say to a world that seems to be imploding, “Do what you will, I have chosen peace!” Jesus has overcome the world!

Agape’

Royce