Trust AND Obey » forgiveness

Lincoln – 22 November 2011

Dave Miller — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:00:46 +0000

Lincoln again?

Yep. Linkin’ again!

As in linking to noteworthy articles from other blogs and websites.

Making the Most of Turkey Time by David Mathis

What if God had more for our kin this Thanksgiving than the Macy’s parade, tryptophan-induced naps, and NFL football? What if we saw our gatherings with extended family not as a chance to check out, but as an opportunity for Christian mission?

What Forgiveness Is and Isn’t by Russell D. Moore

A prisoner of war who forgives his captor or a terminated pastor who forgives a predatory congregation, these people are not overlooking sin. Nor are they saying that what happened is “okay” or that the relationships involved are back to “normal” (whatever that is). Instead they are confessing that judgment is coming and they can trust the One who will be seated on that throne.

Typographic Verses by Jonathan Ogden et. al.

Nigerian Christians Show American Believers How to Pray by Jack Minor

Last year over 2,000 Christians in the country were murdered by Muslim extremists. While it is often tempting in trials such as this to pray for deliverance, the Christians in Nigeria are praying for something else… the strength to stand strong.

Please don’t pass over this story. Christians in the Third World are on the front-lines of Christ’s Kingdom. Christians in America are the ‘rear echelon’ and could learn a thing or two from our brothers and sisters on the front.

How Calvinists Spread Thanksgiving Cheer by Aaron Belz

What’s unusual about the Pacific Crossroads congregation—and what underpins efforts such as Boxes of Love—is its theologically conservative raison d’être. A member church of the Presbyterian Church in America, Pacific Crossroads is committed to Reformation doctrines such as total depravity and limited atonement. These beliefs are typically regarded as ugly and inhumane by American culturati.

The Rebel’s Guide to Joy – The life of Horatio Spafford

Discipline vs. Punishment by R.W. Glenn

The only just punishment for your disobedience to the Lord is to suffer under his wrath forever in hell. And what’s more, Jesus has already been punished in your place. Therefore, if you are a Christian, you will never be punished for your sins. Jesus has taken the just punishment that was due them. Period.

If you have experienced an intense difficulty in your life and wonder what God is trying to tell you through it, please take time to read this article.

Can Mormons Fit In? Yes and No by Erik Raymond

The Mormon doctrine on the essential matters of doctrine are at odds with historic Christianity. What makes this difficult to parse out is the fact that many Mormons utlize the same words (sin, grace, faith, church, Jesus, salvation) while meaning something completely different.

The Story

Dave Miller — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 15:06:24 +0000

CLICKING THE IMAGE WILL OPEN ‘THE STORY’ IN A NEW WINDOW.

Whether you are a long-time believer, an unbeliever or anywhere in between, I think you will enjoy this story. It is a true story that never gets old or boring, that always refreshes and renews.

Jesus Wants The Rose

Dave Miller — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 03:23:13 +0000

Have you been hurt or treated poorly by a Christian? Have you been excluded or marginalized by a church?

Forget about them. Jesus wants you.

Do you think you’re too bad for God to love? Do you think you need to clean up your act before you can get right with God?

Forget about that. Jesus wants you.

He wants you just as you are. He wants you to come to him in honesty and brokenness and tell him you know what you are, a sinner. You’re a mess; God already knows that, and He’s forgiven worse than you. The Bible says He will not break a bruised reed or quench a barely glowing wick. (Matthew 12:20 ESV) Come to him in humility and apologize for the mess you’ve made. Jesus did not condemn a woman caught in adultery; He forgave her and told her to go and sin no more. He promises to do the same for you when you repent and believe.

Christians may look down on you or ignore you, Christ doesn’t.

Churches might make you feel unwelcome, Jesus won’t.

I hope you won’t judge Christ by a church that happens to use His name, or by those who call themselves Christians. The church can’t save your soul and Christians can’t forgive your sins. Jesus can do all that and heal you of whatever sins and griefs you bear.

Jesus wants you. Please, give Him a chance.

Hume tells Tiger to Turn

Dave Miller — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:11:19 +0000

Brit Hume, the senior political analyst for Fox News and a regular panelist on Fox News Sunday had the audacity to express an opinion during the opinion portion of the January 3, 2010 show. See for yourself.

There has been an uproar from some in the media (and from plenty of anti-free-speech bloggers) that Hume’s statement is inappropriate. The fact of the matter is that Brit Hume is a gutsy guy. It is only a matter of time before the “mainstream media” will excoriate him for this, but he’s right on the money. The false religion Tiger Woods adheres to (Buddhism) will do nothing for him. Nothing. He needs Christ as his Lord and Savior. John 14:6 Romans 10:9-10 Acts 13:38

Bravo Brit Hume!

Hopefully Christians everywhere will stand up to applaud Hume’s remarks. Send an email to FoxNews comments[at]foxnews[dot]com or Hume’s show, FoxNewsSunday.

But I’m a good person…

Dave Miller — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:38:13 +0000

“But I’m a good person…” I’ve heard that statement many times, usually from a Christian friend or family member; often from a non-religious person as well. When a discussion about life after death comes up, the subject inevitably turns to heaven, who goes there and why. According to an ABC poll, 85 percent of Americans believe they are going to heaven. The most amazing part of this poll is that 77 percent of people who describe themselves as “not religious” think they are going to heaven.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:21 that not everyone who calls him “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. Just a few verses earlier, in Matthew 7:14, Jesus says that few even find the gate to life eternal. This should give even the most religious Christian pause. What are the chances that everyone in your church is among the few who find the narrow gate? Could some of them be on the wide path, even though they think they’re not? Could you?

One of the things that might falsely convince you that you are on the narrow path is if you think you are just as good or better than other people in your life. The fact of the matter is that virtually everybody can find somebody more despicable than himself without looking too hard. In a church setting, all you have to do is find the busybody, the gossip or the world-pleaser and compare yourself. You’ll certainly measure up better in the eyes of God, right?

“…do not think more highly of yourself than you ought…” Romans 12:3

This is a deadly step toward self-deception. We must never minimize our own sinfulness by comparing ourselves to our sinful brothers or sisters. God doesn’t grade on a curve. We won’t be compared to the adulterer, the homosexual or the thief – we’ll be compared to Jesus, and we will be found wanting. Romans 3:23.

One of the dominant features of universal human fallenness is deception about one’s true condition. The sinner is unwilling to see himself in his true condition and is convinced of his own goodness. People deny they are sinners. They deny that there is evil in their lives because they are good – and they do not see the evil in their religion. They are self deceived. They may claim the name of Christ, but in reality they hate God. They may have some sentimental feelings for Him, but only for the parts of Him that they find acceptable. — John MacArthur

“Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.” James 4:10

It is impossible to understand how holy God is until you have an inkling of how sinful and depraved mankind is. Start with yourself. Take a good hard look in the mirror and dig deep into the corners of your life where you would rather not go. Dig out that sticky sin. Pull it out into the open and thrust it into the light! Yes. It is going to hurt. Hold it up to God with tears and cry for forgiveness. Lay down that burden and NEVER pick it up again. Take comfort that God promises to all who trust him, forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16