I have been wondering what I can do to increase the number of people who come and read my blog and leave comments and questions. I would greatly enjoy and benefit from more views and discussions and studies.
What is a good way to bring more people together to discuss things of a spiritual nature on a blog?
Thus far there are two people who I constantly communicate with through my blog and theirs. The way I connected with these two is through searching out their blogs and leaving comments, which opened up a dialogue.
The problem I've run into is that it is hard to find the blogs of sincere Christians out there who are seeking God's truth through His word, rather than simply defending their own beliefs. Is it that there are so few people out there who have blogs and who have a mind kept open to learning from the Bible?
I thank God for you two, Deb and "Author" (by the way, what is your name?). You two are my efellowship, and I love it. I hope the group can grow, both in number and in knowledge. :-)
God bless you and keep you!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Present Help from a Past Message
"There is too much formality in the church. Souls are perishing for light and knowledge. We should be so connected with the Source of light that we can be channels of light to the world....Those who profess to be guided by the word of God, may be familiar with the evidences of their faith, and yet be like the pretentious fig tree, which flaunted its foliage in the face of the world, but when searched by the Master, was found destitute of fruit." - EGW
"A formal round of religious services is kept up; but where is the love of Jesus? Spirituality is dying." - EGW
"A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work....We must pray more, and talk less. Iniquity abounds, and the people must be taught not to be satisfied with a form of godliness without the spirit and power....We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world....Every temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, 'not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.'...Alas, what pride is prevailing in the church, what hypocrisy, what deception, what love of dress, frivolity, and amusement, what desire for the supremacy! All these sins have clouded the mind, so that eternal things have not been discerned." - EGW
"Without the presence of Jesus in the heart, religious service is only dead, cold formalism." - EGW
These were messages from 1887 and 1888 when Ellen White was noticing the love of many church members growing cold, and much formalism coming in. These solemn warnings preceded the great message of the General Conference in Minneapolis to the church of "Righteousness by Faith".
Indeed these messages could just as easily apply to the church today, yet we must be careful how we try to fix this problem. The pattern is that the pendulum swings from one extreme to another, never settling on a well-rounded view of God and Christianity.
With those in their 20's and 30's beginning to take the reigns of the church in hand, I have seen that, in trying to break away from the cold formalism that so permeates the church, many are swinging to the opposite, and equally dangerous, extreme.
Many proclaim that love for Christ is above all, and they're right. But they forget that Christ said, "If you love Me, keep my commandments.", John 14:15. They forget that scriptures say "He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.", 1 John 2:4-5
Many proclaim that we must only have faith, and they are right. But they forget that scripture says, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.", James 2:26
Let the young men and women in the Adventist church, or anywhere else, take special heed to these messages, and be wary of swinging to dangerous extremes. Usually the truth is found somewhere in the middle. God sends a well-rounded message to us through His word. Let us abide in that Word, for the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
"A formal round of religious services is kept up; but where is the love of Jesus? Spirituality is dying." - EGW
"A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work....We must pray more, and talk less. Iniquity abounds, and the people must be taught not to be satisfied with a form of godliness without the spirit and power....We have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world....Every temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, 'not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.'...Alas, what pride is prevailing in the church, what hypocrisy, what deception, what love of dress, frivolity, and amusement, what desire for the supremacy! All these sins have clouded the mind, so that eternal things have not been discerned." - EGW
"Without the presence of Jesus in the heart, religious service is only dead, cold formalism." - EGW
These were messages from 1887 and 1888 when Ellen White was noticing the love of many church members growing cold, and much formalism coming in. These solemn warnings preceded the great message of the General Conference in Minneapolis to the church of "Righteousness by Faith".
Indeed these messages could just as easily apply to the church today, yet we must be careful how we try to fix this problem. The pattern is that the pendulum swings from one extreme to another, never settling on a well-rounded view of God and Christianity.
With those in their 20's and 30's beginning to take the reigns of the church in hand, I have seen that, in trying to break away from the cold formalism that so permeates the church, many are swinging to the opposite, and equally dangerous, extreme.
Many proclaim that love for Christ is above all, and they're right. But they forget that Christ said, "If you love Me, keep my commandments.", John 14:15. They forget that scriptures say "He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.", 1 John 2:4-5
Many proclaim that we must only have faith, and they are right. But they forget that scripture says, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.", James 2:26
Let the young men and women in the Adventist church, or anywhere else, take special heed to these messages, and be wary of swinging to dangerous extremes. Usually the truth is found somewhere in the middle. God sends a well-rounded message to us through His word. Let us abide in that Word, for the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A Question of Ascending to Heaven
If we believe that Enoch was taken to heaven (Genesis 5:22-24, Hebrews 11:5), or that Elijah was taken to heaven (2 Kings 2:1-11, Matthew 17:1-9, Luke 9:28-36), or that Moses was resurrected (Jude 9, Matthew 17:1-9, Luke 9:28-36), how do we explain the following verse?
John 3:13, "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven."
I have been having an interesting study with my friend "author" from Preaching the Gospel about whether anyone is in heaven, or whether everyone is still sleeping in the grave until the resurrection. This question was one that I have had before, but never dwelt upon. Every time I read John 3:13 I would pause, and wonder. Not to mention the fact that 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming."
I was talking to my wife about the discussion being had, and asked what she made of John 3:13, to which she replied something to the effect of, "I think it means that no one has ascended by themselves, Jesus had to help them."
I thought that her answer was just too simple, so I didn't give it much thought until today, when I found a pastor stating the same thing. (Guys, always best to listen to your wife right away!)
The word "ascend" comes from the Greek word "anabaino," which means "arise, ascend, climb up, rise up." Notice that the Bible says Enoch was taken, and Elijah was taken up, not that they "ascended," "climbed up," or "arose" of their own power. God needed to take them, because they could not ascend on their own.
The first use of the word "ascending" in the Bible is found speaking of Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28:12, "Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."
The first use of this word by John, the author of the verse we're studying, is found a few verses before the passage we're studying (John 3:13) in John 1:51, "And He (Jesus) said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'"
So we see Jesus saying you will see "angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man," then a few verses later saying "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven."
Friends, Christ is the bridge between heaven and earth. He is the only way any of us will ever get to heaven. So if we look at John 3:13 in this light, then it is true indeed that "no one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven."
In regards to Hebrews 11:5, which states Enoch "was taken": The Greek word translated as "was taken" is "metatithemi" which means "carry over, change, translate." This word is found only one other time in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 7:12 says, "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." So we could read the previous verse as stating Enoch "was changed."
The alternative is that Enoch "was taken" simply means he died, or was taken somewhere else. And that Elijah was taken to heaven simply means he was taken into the air (another meaning of the word used for "heaven") and placed somewhere else. You can find a more in-depth look at this view at "author's" site, Preaching the Gospel.
So this topic is very interesting to myself and others, what do you think?
Remember, above all, to always seek God earnestly in prayer and through study of His word. And to always keep an open mind and not to become set in your own doctrines. We should always remember and follow the example of the Bereans, of which it is said in Acts 17:11, "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
I have certainly had to examine a few of my own beliefs because of this topic, and I continue to do so. I invite you, also, to be open to examining all doctrines and beliefs by the Bible, and the Bible only, and to let Him, through the Spirit, lead us into all truth! (John 16:13)
"I wanna love You" by Vocal Union
God bless you and keep you!
John 3:13, "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven."
I have been having an interesting study with my friend "author" from Preaching the Gospel about whether anyone is in heaven, or whether everyone is still sleeping in the grave until the resurrection. This question was one that I have had before, but never dwelt upon. Every time I read John 3:13 I would pause, and wonder. Not to mention the fact that 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 says, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming."
I was talking to my wife about the discussion being had, and asked what she made of John 3:13, to which she replied something to the effect of, "I think it means that no one has ascended by themselves, Jesus had to help them."
I thought that her answer was just too simple, so I didn't give it much thought until today, when I found a pastor stating the same thing. (Guys, always best to listen to your wife right away!)
The word "ascend" comes from the Greek word "anabaino," which means "arise, ascend, climb up, rise up." Notice that the Bible says Enoch was taken, and Elijah was taken up, not that they "ascended," "climbed up," or "arose" of their own power. God needed to take them, because they could not ascend on their own.
The first use of the word "ascending" in the Bible is found speaking of Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28:12, "Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."
The first use of this word by John, the author of the verse we're studying, is found a few verses before the passage we're studying (John 3:13) in John 1:51, "And He (Jesus) said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'"
So we see Jesus saying you will see "angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man," then a few verses later saying "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven."
Friends, Christ is the bridge between heaven and earth. He is the only way any of us will ever get to heaven. So if we look at John 3:13 in this light, then it is true indeed that "no one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven."
In regards to Hebrews 11:5, which states Enoch "was taken": The Greek word translated as "was taken" is "metatithemi" which means "carry over, change, translate." This word is found only one other time in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 7:12 says, "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." So we could read the previous verse as stating Enoch "was changed."
The alternative is that Enoch "was taken" simply means he died, or was taken somewhere else. And that Elijah was taken to heaven simply means he was taken into the air (another meaning of the word used for "heaven") and placed somewhere else. You can find a more in-depth look at this view at "author's" site, Preaching the Gospel.
So this topic is very interesting to myself and others, what do you think?
Remember, above all, to always seek God earnestly in prayer and through study of His word. And to always keep an open mind and not to become set in your own doctrines. We should always remember and follow the example of the Bereans, of which it is said in Acts 17:11, "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
I have certainly had to examine a few of my own beliefs because of this topic, and I continue to do so. I invite you, also, to be open to examining all doctrines and beliefs by the Bible, and the Bible only, and to let Him, through the Spirit, lead us into all truth! (John 16:13)
"I wanna love You" by Vocal Union
God bless you and keep you!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
A Question of Christ and the Spirit
In John 16:7, Christ said, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you."
What did Jesus mean when He said that the Holy Spirit would not come unless He went away?
Wasn't the Spirit with men before Christ died? As I've mentioned before, in Psalm 51:11 David begs God, saying "do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." And there are numerous other examples of the Spirit in the Old Testament:
Speaking of Israel in the wilderness, Nehemiah 9:20, "You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, and did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst."
Speaking to Moses about seventy elders of Israel, Numbers 11:17, "Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them: and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone."
Speaking of King Saul before he rebelled against God, 1 Samuel 11:6, "Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused."
Speaking of Prophets who told of coming salvation, 1 Peter 1:11, "searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow."
So, since we know the Holy Spirit was working with and in men before Christ came, what did Jesus mean by His statement in John 16:7?
Could it be that God would send His Spirit in a new and more powerful way? A special outpouring to equip His church with the gifts of the Spirit? Could we be living in a blessed time during which Christ bestows the greatest strength upon His people through His Holy Spirit? What do you think?
Happy Sabbath! God bless you and keep you!
What did Jesus mean when He said that the Holy Spirit would not come unless He went away?
Wasn't the Spirit with men before Christ died? As I've mentioned before, in Psalm 51:11 David begs God, saying "do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." And there are numerous other examples of the Spirit in the Old Testament:
Speaking of Israel in the wilderness, Nehemiah 9:20, "You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, and did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst."
Speaking to Moses about seventy elders of Israel, Numbers 11:17, "Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them: and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone."
Speaking of King Saul before he rebelled against God, 1 Samuel 11:6, "Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused."
Speaking of Prophets who told of coming salvation, 1 Peter 1:11, "searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow."
So, since we know the Holy Spirit was working with and in men before Christ came, what did Jesus mean by His statement in John 16:7?
Could it be that God would send His Spirit in a new and more powerful way? A special outpouring to equip His church with the gifts of the Spirit? Could we be living in a blessed time during which Christ bestows the greatest strength upon His people through His Holy Spirit? What do you think?
Happy Sabbath! God bless you and keep you!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A Question of Grace and Salvation
This question is based on a few assumptions:
1.) We know that we're saved "by grace through faith, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." - Ephesians 2:8
2.) We know that God never takes away our free will, our choice, and that we can always choose to turn away from Him. Thus "if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." "Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." - Hebrews 10:26-27, 38
3.) We know that the "Christian" in our question truly is/was converted and saved to begin with.
So based on those three assumptions, my question is this:
If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, yet are obviously not perfect, at what point do we lose our salvation if we sin? If a Christian gives in to temptation and has sex outside of marriage, or smokes a cigarette, or drinks a beer, or lies, or hates (which Christ said was as murder), or whatever his particular weakness is...is he still saved at that point?
If the Christian dies while indulging in a sin, can he expect heaven or hell? Do we lose our salvation every time we sin until we repent of that sin? Or, is it only after repeated sin, a willful decision that we're not going to follow God's law and don't even want to, that we lose our salvation?
What do you think?
"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." - 1 John 2:1, Hebrews 7:25
1.) We know that we're saved "by grace through faith, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." - Ephesians 2:8
2.) We know that God never takes away our free will, our choice, and that we can always choose to turn away from Him. Thus "if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." "Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." - Hebrews 10:26-27, 38
3.) We know that the "Christian" in our question truly is/was converted and saved to begin with.
So based on those three assumptions, my question is this:
If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, yet are obviously not perfect, at what point do we lose our salvation if we sin? If a Christian gives in to temptation and has sex outside of marriage, or smokes a cigarette, or drinks a beer, or lies, or hates (which Christ said was as murder), or whatever his particular weakness is...is he still saved at that point?
If the Christian dies while indulging in a sin, can he expect heaven or hell? Do we lose our salvation every time we sin until we repent of that sin? Or, is it only after repeated sin, a willful decision that we're not going to follow God's law and don't even want to, that we lose our salvation?
What do you think?
"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." - 1 John 2:1, Hebrews 7:25
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Genesis 17-19
This was an amazing time spent in God's word. It was the story of Abraham and Sarah's names being changed, and the conception of their son Isaac. It also contains the interesting story of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Anyway, I've decided that the format I have been using for my Bible readings wasn't working for me. It seems like I'm just summarizing what I've read instead of writing about spiritual insights or words of encouragement that I've found.
As I look back at my current reading, something that spoke to me from this passage was when Abraham was bargaining with God. When he was asking God to spare Sodom if 50 righteous men were found there, then asking what about if there was 45, then 30, then 20, then 10 (Genesis 18:22-33). And every time God said "Yes"!
How awesome is it that God is so willing to answer our prayers and pleas to Him, yet we don't have the boldness of Abraham to just ask.
James 4:2, "Yet you do not have because you do not ask."
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Amen! God bless you and keep you.
Anyway, I've decided that the format I have been using for my Bible readings wasn't working for me. It seems like I'm just summarizing what I've read instead of writing about spiritual insights or words of encouragement that I've found.
As I look back at my current reading, something that spoke to me from this passage was when Abraham was bargaining with God. When he was asking God to spare Sodom if 50 righteous men were found there, then asking what about if there was 45, then 30, then 20, then 10 (Genesis 18:22-33). And every time God said "Yes"!
How awesome is it that God is so willing to answer our prayers and pleas to Him, yet we don't have the boldness of Abraham to just ask.
James 4:2, "Yet you do not have because you do not ask."
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Amen! God bless you and keep you.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Conservative Adventist Schools?
Does anyone know of any conservative/fundamental Adventist schools, either academy or university?
I have a little boy who I'd like to send to the best Adventist school when the time comes. After I graduate this May, my family will be in the unique position to relocate (nearly) wherever we'd like.
The problem is this: What I've seen of the Adventist universities here in California, as well as the local academies, is that they're very liberal and worldly. I've heard Jim Gilley mention an Adventist school that he really likes (in his top-5, he said) but can't recall the name of it.
Anyway, if you have any suggestions, let me know. :-)
I have a little boy who I'd like to send to the best Adventist school when the time comes. After I graduate this May, my family will be in the unique position to relocate (nearly) wherever we'd like.
The problem is this: What I've seen of the Adventist universities here in California, as well as the local academies, is that they're very liberal and worldly. I've heard Jim Gilley mention an Adventist school that he really likes (in his top-5, he said) but can't recall the name of it.
Anyway, if you have any suggestions, let me know. :-)
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