Last night at our Wednesday prayer time we were challenged that the number one test of our salvation is our obedience to God’s Word. ”If we love Him we will keep His commandments.” Keeping commandments does not make one a Christian, but one who is a Christian, who is in a loving relationship with God, will obey the commandments. Peter Jeffery’s book “Walk Worthy” gives a brief test of obedience. Some mentioned that they did not get all the scripture references, so I wanted to put them down here.
A Test:
Have you obeyed the Lord concerning
other Christians (Galatians 6:10)
regular worship and fellowship (Hebrews 10:25)
Bible Study (2 Timothey 2:15)
Baptism (Acts 2:38)
Your Pastor (Hebrews 13:17)
How is it possible that a Christian can unreservedly accept the Bible as the infallible, inspired Word of God, and yet still disobey its commandments? It is because he has lost the reality of the presence of the God of the Word. Correct beliefs are not enough to ensure obedience, but a right relationship to God will. Given that, you too will acknowledge that the commandments of the Lord are not grievous.
The swine flu may change even how we do things within the church. The Indy Star has made this recommendation upon the request of Indiana’s Health Commissioner Judith Monroe:
“I recommend starting today that Indiana stop shaking hands,” she said. “Maybe we should bow to one another or bump elbows.”
I am calling for the elbow bumping begin at EBC!
And now that church softball is here, maybe we should consider chest bumping instead of high fives! It should no longer be considered proud and show boating, but rather considerate and health conscientious.
After our message Sunday night on the value of keeping our eyes fixed on Christ and his return, I found this video very thought provoking and challenging. I would love to hear your response to watching it.
Here is a fun article that is also very practical and biblical on motherhood. I know that in the midst of mothering one can be overwhelmed at times and there can be a grasping for purpose and progress. This article, containing an interview with Holly Ellif , ought to be an encouragement to not grow weary in well doing. Amidst funny stories of her own experiences as a mother, her main point is clearly made:
Motherhood is about eternity. It is not just about this moment. God clearly defines this in Romans 8:28 and 29. That verse where it says God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
What is His purpose? For us to be conformed to the image of Christ. Motherhood is one of God’s very best tools for that molding, that conforming in our life
This is a quote from an article my Dad gave me from World Magazine discussing what the author call “practical atheism”. What is meant by that phrase is not a lack of belief in God, but a lack of knowledge of God which in essence causes one to live a life where the God is practically irrelevant.
The way many churches respond to declining public interest exacerbates the problem. The Christianchurch grew when its leaders stressed biblical study and fervent prayer, each of which was considered, in the early church, a means of knowing God. The modern feel-good church, meanwhile, de-emphasizes both in favor of ”messages” that are “relevant to life.” (Don’t tell me what Job said about the impoderable glory of God, tell me how to have fulfilling personal relationships.) That kind of offering can only be as stimulating as its deliverer, which explains why telergenic showmen find their congregattions swelling, and so many other churches are shrinking. Eliminate the theologies of Word and prayer, and all you have left is a competition to see who can provide the best circus.
What we are in danger of-in our country, in our churches, in ourselves- is practical atheism. This si not a considered embrace of godlessness. It is instead the slow slide into lives where God is irrelevant.
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church grew when its leaders stressed biblical study and fervent prayer, each of which was considered, in the early church, a means of knowing God. The modern feel-good church, meanwhile, de-emphasizes both in favor of ”messages” that are “relevant to life.” (Don’t tell me what Job said about the impoderable glory of God, tell me how to have fulfilling personal relationships.) That kind of offering can only be as stimulating as its deliverer, which explains why telergenic showmen find their congregattions swelling, and so many other churches are shrinking. Eliminate the theologies of Word and prayer, and all you have left is a competition to see who can provide the best circus.