Titus 3:4-7 NASB But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, (5) He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, (6) whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (7) so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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Marriage Isn’t About Being Happy
Marriage Isn’t About Being Happy
If you aren’t happy in your marriage chances are it is because you have a wrong expectation. This is probably because you have put your hope in your spouse to satisfy you. He ordained marriage for one man, to one woman as a helpmate. It wasn’t good for man to be alone. Marriage is supposed to be two sinners, giving grace to one another, remembering Christ Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for their very own personal sins, and forgiving the smaller offense of a creature against a creature, because you understand the horrible consequences of your sin as a creature against the holy Creator. Marriage is an archetype of Christ and His bride the Church. Because of Jesus’ sacrificial love for us we have an example of how we are supposed to love our spouse. If you find your contentment and happiness in God’s will and providence, then you will look upon your spouse as a fellow sinner who needs selfless love and grace. When you are fulfilled by God, and He is enough for you, then you can truly appreciate the blessing of a spouse.
Why Can’t They Be Happy?
Why can’t she/he just be happy?
Have you ever found yourself lamenting this question? Your spouse seems to always be in the dumps. This may or may not be true of course. It could just be your impression that they are always blue. Over and over again they seem disappointed or dissatisfied with you. You search your mind for any offense you could have caused by action or inaction, you probe your intuition for things that could have gone wrong. It seems every waking moment is spent in a frustrating quandary.
People are unhappy because of original and personal sin. We are not living as we would have if sin did not enter the world through the transgression of God’s command by Adam. Because of Adam’s sin the whole of creation has been cursed by God. All of Adam’s descendants are corrupted by sin. The Earth has been changed because of sin. How we perceive things is fallen.1 Death is a result of sin. We in our arrogance wanted to be like God in knowledge of good and evil. Before the fall all we knew was good. Now because of sin we know sickness, suffering, death, and evil.
All descendants of Adam and Eve are corrupted through and through by sin.2 That means you and I. We are sinners. When you put two sinners together in a room they will do what they are able to do. They will sin. They will see the world through sin colored glasses. Everything they hear and see will be colored by pride, selfishness, deceitfulness, arrogance, hatred, spite, self-serving love, and so on. Do we wonder why the divorce rate is so high? We shouldn’t. We should be surprised anyone gets married at all anymore.
So when you feel unhappy or frustrated with your spouse remember that your sins put Christ on the cross and He endured the Father’s wrath that you had coming so that you could be forgiven. If you were forgiven of so much shouldn’t you forgive your spouse of such a small offense in comparison?3 They need us to express the grace and sacrificial love of Christ. Sure we want to help them to be happy, but it isn’t our job. Only God can satisfy us. When we are the ones that aren’t happy it isn’t because of our spouse. It is because we aren’t relying on God. We can just as easily make an idol of our spouse as we can ourselves. If you are like me we can fall to this from time to time, especially when we are tired or not thinking about it. When you realize you are in sin, repent, ask God to forgive you and He will.4
1Genesis 3:1-19 NASB Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” (2) The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; (3) but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'” (4) The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! (5) “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (6) When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. (7) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. (8) They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (9) Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” (10) He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” (11) And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” (12) The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” (13) Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (14) The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; (15) And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” (16) To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.” (17) Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. (18) “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; (19) By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”
2Romans 3:23 NASB for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
3Matthew 18:23-35 NASB “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. (24) “When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. (25) “But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. (26) “So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ (27) “And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. (28) “But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ (29) “So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ (30) “But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. (31) “So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. (32) “Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. (33) ‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ (34) “And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. (35) “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
41 John 1:9 NASB If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Why you get angry at your kids.
Near Death Experiences
Near Death Experiences
1) Do people really see things prior to death (NDE’s)? Yes and no.
Many of the people claiming to have near death experiences are like the people who claim to see Bigfoot or a spaceship. Many of them are just faking it for attention. Some of them are not faking it though. For the ones that are not faking it we can rule out what they are seeing as the effects of the dieing brain. Brain chemistry and electrical activity causes strange subconscious imaginings. Some people do experience spiritual visions near death. It is important to note that they are not dead as science would define death. If a person is clinically dead and then comes back to life with a miraculous story it doesn’t mean that it is from God. The Bible says, “…Hebrews 9:27 NASB And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,..” People truly die once as a rule. Pro-NDE people will ask, “What about when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead?” “…John 11:11-15 NASB This He said, and after that He *said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.”(12) The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” (13) Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. (14) So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead,(15)and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.”..” So again as a rule people die once and then the judgment. So barring a miracle of Jesus when a person is truly dead they stay dead. Just because they have stopped breathing, pumping blood, and brain activity seems to have ceased doesn’t mean they are truly dead. Medical science says they are dead, but how many times have we heard of somebody waking up in the morgue or in a coffin? You are dead when God says you are dead. So people near death can have physiologically explainable visions.
2) Do some see angels while others see demons? Yes and no.
The Bible says nothing about NDE’s specifically. Some people abuse scripture and try to make Paul’s vision of the 3rd Heaven a NDE when it is obviously not. They are just so desperate to believe in NDE’s that they will pervert scripture to make it so. People can also experience demonic/satanic visions given to them to lead them astray and to misguide others. Anything a person claims about a NDE MUST NOT conflict with the Bible. If it does, it is from a lying spirit and should be discarded immediately as untrue. The person relaying the story must not be followed or believed.
3) Can this be scriptural? Yes and no.
The answer to this question depends heavily on context and claim. If the context is a vision or dream from God that someone experienced it must be accurate and consistent with the rest of the Bible. I don’t believe these types of things are happening right now in our time. Again, the Bible says nothing about NDE’s specifically. In the end times they are supposed to start back up. These are not NDE’s though. There is a big difference between an NDE and a prophetic dream or vision. You don’t have to be in a coma or nearly dead for a prophetic dream or vision. If God wants you to know something you are going to know it. Fortunately for us He reveals His will and word for us in the Bible and we don’t need to rely on dreams, and visions. Matter of fact the Bible is the primary way we hear from God.
To sum up I would say treat all NDE claims as nothing of consequence unless it meets the requirements of scripture. Here are some links to some very good articles from trusted ministries on the topic.
1. http://www.gty.org/blog/B121018
2. http://www.gotquestions.org/near-death-experiences.html
3. http://www.christianbook.com/heaven-randy-alcorn/9780842379427/pd/79422?event=AFF&p=1011693&
4. http://www.equip.org/articles/from-heaven-to-earth-with-a-story-that-sells/
Salvation, Mercy, and Wrath.
Salvation, Mercy, and Wrath.
If God saves us while we are yet sinners, it is because of his mercy.(Romans 5:8) Being sinners what could we do to merit favor with God, as if He were one to be compelled? We must also inquire as to what it is that we need saving from.
The punishment is what we say we fear, and rightly so. It comes from the almighty. We fear His just punishment, because His law was written on our hearts. We know that we are sinners. We only need to understand how dire our case is. This can only be accomplished through the exposition of our own personal sins.
What is a sinner? Is it a person that murders? Is it a liar? Is it a policeman? Is it an E.R. Doctor? Could it be me, or even you? The easy answer is that a sinner is someone who sins. Some would try to justify their works-righteousness religion by making a false distinction. They might tell you that a sinner is one that lives a lifestyle of sin. After all, everyone has sinned, but surely some of us are good? To them I say, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 ) “There is none who does good, there is not even one.” (Romans 3:12) I would ask them, “How many people do I have to kill before I am a murderer?” If I rip a purse from a woman’s shoulder, and run what does she yell? “Stop thief!” One time is all it takes. One lie makes a liar. One lustful thought makes an adulterer.
God judges not just what we do, but the thoughts of our inner most being.(1 Samuel 16:7) The thoughts bring forth the deeds. Dwelling on the sinful temptation enacts a powerful compulsion of the natural man to sin. So a sinner in thought is a sinner in deed.
Ah! But they protest, “There is a difference between thinking and doing!” I agree, but a little evil is only small when a human compares it to another human’s righteousness. Oh! How it contrasts when compared to perfection. When seen against the flawless, holiness, of God that small sin of your heart becomes an overwhelming witness against you on judgement day. Evidence of the sinners state of guilt. Condemning them to be punished for all eternity to satisfy the justice of a perfect, holy, and righteous God.
We rightly deserve to be killed, and to spend eternity in Hell as punishment. Once you realize the unattainable righteousness your sins are compared to, and the authority of the one whose laws you have transgressed you will grasp why it is good, and just for you to be punished. Until then God will seem harsh, and punitive. Unless by His mercy He grants you grace, you will never understand His love, or how unacceptable you are in sin, or what He saves you from.
So a sinner is every man, woman, and child ever born. Before them was Adam. The first man. The man through whom sin entered the world. So we are all in need of saving. Who can have such amazing grace? God alone! Not any works of man.(Ephesians 2:8) No merit of our own. Jesus on the cross! His blood shed for wretches, fallen, and without any righteousness to save them. It is this was so they must rely on His righteousness imputed to their account so they can be saved! If you are convicted of your sins, turn from them. Repent of them. Confess them to Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you. Put your faith in Him, and not your own works.
The 180movie logically counters arguments of the Pro-choice proponents.
The 180movie logically counters arguments of the Pro-choice proponents. If you watch the movie you will be able to use the points brought up by Ray Comfort in this documentary to argue intelligently against the Pro-choice proponents. Abortion should not even be an option. It is so blatantly immoral and unethical. I am incredulous that people fathom it tolerable to practice infanticide.
If you are not Pro-life and are an open and honest person that considers themselves to be tolerant and fair minded I encourage you to check it out with and open mind and heart. Human life is valuable. Would protest the killing of animals for fur or the use of animals as food but not protest abortion? If you wont see the hypocrisy in that I doubt that you are being very honest or fair. Please for the sake of the unborn don’t go another minute without watching this movie.
Representations of the sinner, church, and gospel in the Old Testament.
The chosen people of God in the Old Testament are representative of the individual sinner, and the church. We see how some want to please God. How others seeking their own pleasures only after being judged repent. In 1 Samuel we see the Israelites rejecting God’s rule. They demand a king other than God. Samuel is to warn them but also he is to anoint the one who would be king. Are we mastered by God or sin? Who is your king? When judged and shown the sin in our lives do we repent, then follow God with our entire heart? Over and over we see God’s chosen people sinning, being punished, repenting, and worshiping. They would go on for a while and fall again. God would accept their repentance and worship after they were humbled. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. It is His mercy to break the sinner. Only in humility can they experience God’s grace. Oh that I could always remember and be humble so as not to sin against my God. I fear the discipline even though I know it is for my good. Like a child I am in regards to it. As one that matures I see the love of the Father in it. Oh how I love Jesus! His grace is sufficient for even me! So as we see the chosen people of God so we should see ourselves the church. How many times have we sinned and in our self-righteousness punished ourselves in the sinful hope of appeasing God’s righteous and holy judgement? How dare we make less of His grace? Did He die on the cross so that we could be our own saviors? Repent of self-righteousness! I to must repent! Don’t let any sin be the churches King. Only Jesus be our king! Like Israel we are God’s people. We were purchased from sins great price by the redeeming blood of Jesus. The Old Testament books display for us the likeness of the individual sinner, the church, and God. We should see the Messiah in all of the word not just the New Testament.
Islam is evil!
quran 009.029 YUSUFALI: Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. quran 9.29
So lets break this down a bit, Christians don’t believe in the islamic god of the quran known as, “Allah.” We don’t forbid what Muhammed has forbid or says that Allah has forbid. For instance we can eat anything with thanks to God, we can believe in one God that is three persons in one being. We believe in the saving grace of God and assurance of salvation through faith in Christ, these are just a few of the differences.
We don’t believe in the end times according to the quran or Muhammed. So they are told to fight against us. It is not a suggestion. They are told by their holy book to …”Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger,”… As well as fighting against us they are told to make us pay a fee that shows how we have been forced into submission by them so that we feel subdued or beaten, defeated even.
They are by no means a religion of peace. Read the quran with protection from God because it is a book written by the enemy and he will corrupt you if you do not have God’s protection. Pray for them that they might come to know Jesus, but by no means believe what they say about islam!
Ever Wonder?
Ever wonder why postmodernism has spread so quickly? Well wonder no more. It has been taught by the public school system for the last 20 years. That’s right, your lovely tax payer funded school system teaches postmodernism. To sum up what postmodernism is I’ll just say that it rejects the notion of objective truth in favor of a personal perception of what is true for each individual. How ludicrous is that? I mean… Really? Here is an example, “Kid’s playing a game and nobody looses because they are all winners.” More importantly God becomes whatever the individual decides. This is called idolatry. When you fashion a god that is more to your liking, when you don’t accept the reality of the sovereign God of the Bible it is called idolatry! So they teach the kids in a circuitous manner all about subjective truth and this my friends finds it’s way into their theology. Don’t think it does? Think I’m wrong? Go to any college campus and ask some of the students what they think about, how we got here, what we are here for, is there a God, who was Jesus, is there a heaven or hell? Then you’ll know for yourself. Don’t be fooled we might very well be some of the last people in America to have and understanding of objective truth. God bless you.
Snyder's Soapbox 