Last week, I started my Fall 2009 courses at the Southern Seminary Extension Center. I am in the process of getting acclimated to the new semester as well as preparing for the Greek Test at the first of October. Therefore, my plate is overflowing and I am going to hold off on posts for a couple of weeks.
Thanks!
Josh
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Dealing with the Guilt of Sin
I wanted to write a quick Biblical encouragement to those who are dealing with the guilt of past sin or habitual sin. Are you a Christian who feels that you cannot be used of God because of some past sin that Satan keeps throwing in your face? Do you allow the Accuser to keep you enslaved to a habitual sin? I want to share this verse with you that should encourage you!
Micah 7:7-9 ESV - this passage in context is talking about the City of Jerusalem, but it has a New Covenant meaning for the Christian that is evident. Here is the text:
But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.
Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be a light to me.
I will bear the indignation of the LORD
because I have sinned against him,
until he pleads my cause
and executes judgment for me.
He will bring me out to the light;
I shall look upon his vindication.
This is a powerful verse. Whatever hold Satan has on you, it does not have to be this way! Yes, you have sinned, and yes, you will bear the indignation of God and the consequences of that sin. But you will not experience condemnation! There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). What an amazing promise!!! It is God who will bring you out of the darkness of sin and into the light. Do not trust your own strength, nail your sin to the cross and put it to death at Christ's finished work!
Rest in God's amazing grace! Look upon the vindication of God's almighty name in your life! He will have vindication, he will have his victory in your life!
Micah 7:7-9 ESV - this passage in context is talking about the City of Jerusalem, but it has a New Covenant meaning for the Christian that is evident. Here is the text:
But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.
Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be a light to me.
I will bear the indignation of the LORD
because I have sinned against him,
until he pleads my cause
and executes judgment for me.
He will bring me out to the light;
I shall look upon his vindication.
This is a powerful verse. Whatever hold Satan has on you, it does not have to be this way! Yes, you have sinned, and yes, you will bear the indignation of God and the consequences of that sin. But you will not experience condemnation! There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). What an amazing promise!!! It is God who will bring you out of the darkness of sin and into the light. Do not trust your own strength, nail your sin to the cross and put it to death at Christ's finished work!
Rest in God's amazing grace! Look upon the vindication of God's almighty name in your life! He will have vindication, he will have his victory in your life!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Jerome Quote
I got this off the wikipedia article for Jerome. I think this is a really great quote - similar to the "lazy hands are the devils workshop" proverb.
"Be ever engaged, so that whenever the devil calls he may find you occupied."
Jerome was a Christian in the 4th Century and was responsible for translating the Original Languages (Hebrew and Greek) into Latin, called the Vulgate. This translation of the Bible was the only authorized translation of the church (Roman Catholicism) until the Protestant Reformation.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
No Other Name - Acts 4:12
A couple of weeks ago, we at Dresden First Baptist Church had a scripture memory verse, Acts 4:12. Here is the verse with verse 11 to provide a small amount of context:
"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." ESV.
This is another scripture on conversion that highlights the exclusivity of Christ. Evangelical Christians do not make up the belief that Jesus is the only way to salvation. There are ample passages of scripture that point to this doctrine, this being one (John 14:6 being another). There is no other way under the sun to receive salvation except through the blood of Christ Jesus. This has massive implications - with one I would like to highlight today:
Major Implication: If Christ is the only way, and he is, then Christians must evangelize the world for Christ and be not ashamed of the gospel! There are over 5 Billion lost people in the world today, and this statistic simply blows me away. We must work in our local churches to get connected and mobilized for Great Commission tasks. In other words, our main goal is to be about making disciples.
There is no other name, but the name of Jesus that brings peace and salvation. Let's bring that name to the nations.
Amen, let it be so.
"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." ESV.
This is another scripture on conversion that highlights the exclusivity of Christ. Evangelical Christians do not make up the belief that Jesus is the only way to salvation. There are ample passages of scripture that point to this doctrine, this being one (John 14:6 being another). There is no other way under the sun to receive salvation except through the blood of Christ Jesus. This has massive implications - with one I would like to highlight today:
Major Implication: If Christ is the only way, and he is, then Christians must evangelize the world for Christ and be not ashamed of the gospel! There are over 5 Billion lost people in the world today, and this statistic simply blows me away. We must work in our local churches to get connected and mobilized for Great Commission tasks. In other words, our main goal is to be about making disciples.
There is no other name, but the name of Jesus that brings peace and salvation. Let's bring that name to the nations.
Amen, let it be so.
In Nashville for Family Visit
This weekend, Bonnie, Marianne, and I have traveled to Franklin, TN to visit Bonnie's parents. Bonnie's parents have recently moved to Franklin, TN (last week) and we are visiting them for the first time here. Johnny and Julia Brundige live in a great area now and we know that we have a great "get away" spot in Franklin, TN!
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