[bibleblock]2 Timothy 4:2-4[/bibleblock]
A time has been reached in our society. A time that is not news to anyone who knows God. A time which has been gathering for a long time. A time to spereate your views of societal norms from those of God’s norms. We, as followers of the one true God, are called to be servants, to “preach the word”, and to be heralds of his God-breathed Scripture.
This session I will focus on 2 Timothy 4:4.
I recently went through and redid my “What We Believe” to be much more detailed by basically reformatting the main document outside of the Holy Scripture that explains my core beliefs. It is the 1689 London Baptist Confession. I have considered myself Reformed to a point for quite a while, but there were still some incongruencies I had to resolve. This document addresses them all in a form I can agree with.
I believe knowing what you believe, and why you believe it is important for every believer. If you don’t know what you believe, read the bible. Do you have to believe what I believe? No. I doubt many will. That doesn’t hurt my feelings. I believe what I believe, and I know why I believe it. I use Scripture as the source of all my beliefs. Scripture is the innerant divine revelation of God to the world.
(Read on …)
Whether you plan to get married one day or not, one of the most important things you can do while single is to set Godly priorities and focuses. This is the time to establish the habits you want to maintain for the rest of your life.
Some of you may know me personally, and be thinking, “What does the married guy know about single life? He doesn’t know how hard it is to be single!” Let me respond in two parts.
First, Yes I am married (have been for over 11 years as of this writing), and I struggled for many years in my marriage because I had not properly prepared while single for the life that would follow once I was married. Once I was married all the daily “stuff” of married life took over and I lost focus on my true duties as a husband. The priorities you set as a single person will help define your marriage attitude and response to your spouse and God.
Second, I have counseled, observed, prayed for, and cried for more than a few couples and singles over the years and while doing so, most of the problems in early marriage come down to improper perceptions and sin brought in from their time being single. Whether it be sexual sin, pride, or just a complete lack of understanding God. I pray that this will find a heart receptive to God’s will and the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.
While you are single you should be focused on the person of God. It’s a time to build you relationship with Jesus, and hear His voice. Your understanding of the word will grow, your faith will mature further, and you learn to better follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in your life. If you train yourself to spend time with him as a single, then you will bring that piety, consistency, and strong foundation of those habits to your marriage.
Many people make is look as though following Jesus is easy. While the act of being saved by Christ is easy, “Truly, truly, I say to you,whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24) However, to truely follow him daily takes more effort, “[...]If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)
So as a Bible believing follower of Christ Jesus, what should we expect it to be like? Is it supposed to be easy to follow him? Is it supposed to be easy to just do what the main stream is doing and just cruise into heaven?
[bibleblock]Matthew 7:13-14[/bibleblock]
(Read on …)
9:02 AM today marks the 15th Anniversary of the Murrah Building Bombing. 168 people tragically died in the attack, and hundreds of others were hurt. Most of us in Oklahoma remember that morning, and where we were when it happened.
Please keep everyone affected in your prayers. Please remember victim’s families, rescuers, survivors, onlookers, and everyone else who this horrific event touched. It left an indelible scar across the center of Oklahoma City that can never be repaired by man. I pray for God’s grace and providence to touch each and every person who was affected in any way by this tragic bombing done for a twisted purpose.
