Archive for June, 2008
Evidences of Salvation - Various Posts
At some point I am going to write on evidences of salvation, but first I thought it would be interesting to see what others have to say. So I searched the web to see what I could find. I have posted some of my findings. This post will be a short, as I am on the tired side and thus am thankful for those who are helping me with this, whether they know it or not.
Evidence of our salvation is important, especially in a world going mad where there are no absolutes and no truths.
Today, we had a discussion in Sunday school about what evidence we have. I pointed out that when I was a very young man, we did not receive all… Continue reading
The Rapture - A Video - It’s Powerful
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate… Continue reading
He Took the Bullet
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple…” Luke 14:26
To see most people today, who call themselves believers, you would think there is no cost to becoming a disciple. You say a few words, tell people you are saved, and then live like the devil.
Well, truth is, there is a cost. Jesus paid the price. He gave Himself to die in our place, so we would not have to face an eternal judgment. In other words, He took the bullet
Chariots, Olympic Glory and Radical Faith
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them” (Psalm 145:18-20)
You may recall the movie, “Chariots of Fire.” This movie was a box office smash. In it, a man named Eric Liddell stood by his conviction not to run his race on Sunday.
What a tough decision this must have been for him. Scotland had sent him to compete in the Olympics. And when it came time for his race, he said he would not run, because his event would take place on Sunday.
Eric Liddells life… Continue reading
For Me or Against Me
He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are of God. John 8:47
One of the ways we know we are Gods has to do with hearing His Word. The man who does not have Christ cannot understand God’s Word. Those that do have Him can.
The Pharisees would listen to Jesus speak in parables and then wonder what He meant. His words seemed foreign to them. They often discussed what He said among themselves, so as to pick the right answer.
Why could they not understand His words? Jesus said to them, “You are of your father the devil and the… Continue reading
Two Months Later, Who Would Have Thought, Letters From Cedar Rapids
By Patrick A. SheldonA couple months ago I began a relationship with Urban Impact Ministry in New Orleans. This relationship is due to a young girl in our church who currently serves on their ministry team. At the beginning, I had no interest in partnering with them. First, I was late in the game trying to get things organized; such as informing parents for the trip. Secondly, I wasn’t sure how to pay for the trip since our youth budget was cut drastically. Third, my senior pastor told me that I didn’t have to go to New Orleans if I didn’t want to. I wasn’t sure how to take… Continue reading
Be Careful of Self-Deception
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8
All of us have done this at one time or another. What am I talking about? I am talking about rationalizing sin and calling it something it is not. In other words, there are times, in our lives, when we have turned away from the truth and rationalized away our sin.
I know what it’s like to do this. I have done it on several occasions. And those times I have done this I was guilty of self-deception.
What’s the problem with denying sin? When we deny sin and justify it… Continue reading
A-Job-Kind-of-Day, Letters From Cedar Rapids
A few years ago Bob injured himself by falling off a roof. I don’t know any detail of his injury other than every step he now takes icauses sharp pains to run up and down both his legs. The work Bob did before his injury required a lot of mobility. I’m not sure what type of work he did before the accident; I just know he wasn’t able to do it anymore.
Since then, Bob has had to get creative to make other income. He bought a shop and three houses to rent out to people. These rental properties provided enough income for Bob to take care of his wife and… Continue reading
