I Want To Barf - Joel Osteen Game

What level will preachers stoop to promote “its all about me” and nothing about Jesus. Joel Osteen has a new game out that goes through seven steps of making yourself feel better about yourself.

Your Best Life Now the game 7 steps to living your full potential. Let me list them and see what you think about them?

Enlarge YOUR vision
Develop a healthy SELF image
Discover the power of YOUR thoughts and words
Let go of the past
Find strength through adversity
Live to Give
Choose to be happy

Wow I see nothing about obeying God if you love Him, self sacrifice, deny yourself and serve others. According to Joel it’s all about me and what makes me happy.

I wonder if he is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I wonder if he really worships the same Jesus I read in the bible. Or is he making up his stuff as he goes along? Is he serving the world or serving God?

Here is a link to the full article. Bring a bag with you.

Wes
Galatians 2:20

Grey Areas

I am pretty much a black and white kind of guy when it comes to what is right and wrong. But there are some gray areas for us who are followers of Christ. I pretty much like to fall on the most conservative views but there is freedom in Christ. He has given us choices in many areas of our lives, but how do I choose these freedoms and know its ok to do them.

Some of things would include movies I see, music I listen too, how do I spend my free time etc...

John MacArthur has a very insightful article that address these concerns and questions to ask yourself on how to decide what would be good or not.

Will it benefit me spiritually?
Will it bring bondage?
Will it defile God’s temple?
Will it cause anyone to stumble?
Will it further the cause of evangelism?
Will it violate my conscience?
Will it bring glory to God?

MacArthur ends the article by saying “So what questions do you have? Run them through the principles above and enjoy your freedom in Christ – the freedom to be what He created you to be!”

Here is a link to the full article with detailed explanations of the 7 questions above. Click Here

All Praise, All Honor, All Glory go to my King of kings and Lord of lords Jesus Christ.

Wes
Galatians 2:20

There Is A Battle

Sometimes it just seems hopeless out in the world. As I am writing this entry there are two people who I have been dialoging with over and over again about the truth of God’s word and they just hate God. One calls God the crackhead intelligent designer and the other says God is a murderer war monger. Their arguments are so week against God. They both are using straw man arguments that fall faster than a house of cards. I know why they are blind it is due to their sin. Trying to shed light in this dark world can only be accomplished through God’s Word.

I try and try to dialog with them pointing out scripture and telling them I care about their souls and how they will perish if they don’t turn from their ways and repent and turn to Christ. Ugh, the frustration. I know I was in their shoes too. I have left the last conversations with both of them with a passage out of Romans 1. Paul writes

6 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes–Jews first and also Gentiles. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."*
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.* 19 For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. 20 From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.

When Jesus said in Matthew 9:37-38
37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

He was not kidding. Why do I even post this is because the battle of ideas is huge out there. We need to stand for God’s truth and let the Holy Spirit do His work. I want to encourage others to continue the fight and contend for our faith. If we don’t stand up for TRUTH in this world who is going to do it? Let us labor long and hard for our Lord and Savior.

Oh and I have finished John MacArthurs book The Truth Wars and will soon write a short review on it.

Wes
Galatians 2:20

I Love You Noah

This entry is to my son Noah who is 6 years old. I want to share with you Noah how proud you have made your Father and your dad. I see your caring and warm heart and most of all I already see Jesus working in your life at 6 years old. I hope one day you read this and you know how precious you are to me and how much I love you. Here is the story of our next door neighbor Craig.

Noah,
We were outside in the front yard washing dad’s car when you saw Craig pull up in his driveway. As usual you ran over to the side of the driveway and yelled HI CRAIG and started waving. You always have a smile on your face when you see him and are so kind to him.

On this particular day Craig waved back and entered his house. You came back over to me and started helping me again with the car. You then turned to me and asked me if Craig believed in Jesus. My heart sank in my chest because dad knows that Craig seems to be interested at times about Jesus but I know he doesn’t believe in Jesus. The look on your face I will never forget. Your jaw dropped and the sadness that covered your face almost broke my heart alone.

You said to me dad we need to go over right now and tell him about Jesus I don’t want to see Craig go to Hell(the dark place). I said I know buddy but dad has shared Jesus with Craig and asked him to come to church but he doesn’t want to come yet. You insisted we have to go tell him. You said does he know what is going to happen if he doesn’t believe. I told you I have told him.

But you were not satisfied with that. Here is your heart Noah that makes me so proud to be your dad. You told me I am going to make Craig a picture of the cross and tell him how Jesus died for him and give him one of my bibles. Noah, you have more character and concern for the lost then most evangelicals today.

The next day you called me on my cell phone and left the most precious message how you had finished the picture and you had your bible all ready to give to him. You asked me as soon as I get home if we can go over and give it to him. Which we did.

We have prayed together for Craig and we will see what God does in his heart. Keep your faith young man. Pastor John always tells us it’s how we finish the race which is the most important thing. I pray for you Noah that you continue to learn more and more about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I love you more than anything and I can’t wait to spend an eternity worshiping God with you, mom, Nathan and Nolan and hopefully Craig too. Love your dad.

Wes
Galatians 2:20

Trinity Apostasy - Truth Wars

I have been reading through John MacAruthur’s book Truth Wars. It has been an amazing learning experience on some of the false doctrines on the nature and deity of God. Satan continues to use the same methods on attacking the Trinity even with very popular TV evangelicals(wolfs in sheep clothing) today. This attack was first manifested as early as the 3rd century.

Here is one term that I learned much more about in MacAruther’s book on the subtlety of heresy.

Sabellianism (Modalism) - That God has three different “modes” of expression. Sabellians believed God transforms Himself from one of these manifestations to another consecutively, as if changing costumes. So in a sabellius’ system, the Father and the Son could never actually exist simultaneously as distinguishable yet co-eternal divine persons.

One of the major TBN prosperity gospel teachers also buy into this form of heresy. TD. Jakes. The Christian Research Institute did an article on “Loving The Trinity” and here is an excerpt from it.

Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) should change its name. Not only are many of the programs on the network functionally non-Trinitarian (i.e., the doctrine makes no impact upon their doctrinal stance), but there is also a networkwide willingness to entertain blatant deviations from the truth of God’s triune existence. One will often find T.D. Jakes preaching on the network, even though his confession of faith is modalistic, not Trinitarian, in terminology. He eschews the term “Persons” and prefers, instead, the favorite phrase of the Oneness Pentecostals; three “manifestations.”12 He likewise uses Oneness terminology when he says, “We have one God, but He is Father in creation, Son in redemption, and Holy Spirit in regeneration.”13

Bad enough right? Well here is what the founder of TBN Says. Paul Crouch

Let’s talk a little bit about theology now. These are issues that I consider to be up for debate, discussion, within the broad spectrum of the body of Christ. You don’t have total agreement on, for example, the Trinity. There is a group, the Jesus Only group, or the Oneness group that believes that there’s only one Person — anyway, we won’t get into that deeply, into the doctrinal aspect, but you have been attacked on some statements that you have made concerning the Trinity and the members of the Godhead [i.e., that they are three Gods].

When the Trinity becomes something that is “up for debate,” the foundations have collapsed and a vacuum of truth is created. Anything and its uncle will rush in to fill the vacuum, which might explain the wide variety of doctrinal views expressed on TBN.

So you may ask yourself what is the problem with their miss understanding of the Trinity. It basically means they are worshiping a different God then the one found in the Bible. How can people truly learn about God from someone who doesn’t even understand who God is?

The war of truth continues daily. We need to equip ourselves for this spiritual battle.

Lets head Jude’s warning:

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

All Praise, All Worship, All Glory, All Honor goes to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Wes
Galatians 2:20

Reflection On Easter

As I reflect on this past weekend I am still amazed at what Christ did for us on that cross 2000 years ago. It’s just so inconceivable that He was willing to come down to earth and take our sin who knew no sin. How humble is God to do that for people who rebel against Him daily.

I know why I celebrate Easter everyday in my heart and give Him praise and thanks. It’s because I know how I want to do what is right 100% of the time but I just can’t do it. Even though I self examine my own heart all the time it is wicked beyond belief. I don’t want to sin but I do.

But Jesus has stood in my place and took my debt. I was going over some passages in Acts since that is the book my pastor is going through right now and in Acts 13:37-39 Dr. Luke writes:

37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

The law convicts my heart and I know there is no way to keep it. I love when God tells us we are justified by Christ. What other hope would we have without Him? Let’s celebrate Easter everyday giving Him thanks for the death and resurrection that paid our debt. It is the only event in history that will have forever eternal consequences.

All Praise, All Worship, All Glory, All Honor goes to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Wes
Galatians 2:20

Adam and Eve, Did They Exist

We are studying over Genesis 3 and the fall of man in our men’s bible study. I have heard from many people the following quote, “You don’t really believe in the story of Adam and Eve do you”?

If Adam and Eve did not exist why the heck would I even need a Savior. Am I really a fallen creature? How would I know that sin separates me from God? It was their very act of disobedience that lets me know why I need a Savior.

Paul states in 1 Corinthians 9:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

I believe that if anyone of us were in Adam’s shoes we would have all made the same choice. We are sinners against God. He has given us the free moral will to choose right and wrong but all of us have chosen to do wrong. Adam was just the first to do it.

But like Paul says death was brought in the world by Adam BUT God has provided an escape from death and that is through His Son Jesus Christ. When Adam sinned against God, He could have wiped us from the earth and started over again. But instead He was willing to take our shame upon the cross. God was willing to pay our debt.

I believe in Adam and Eve because Jesus Himself quoted the scriptures in Genesis and many other locations. He states in Matthew 19 4-5 the following

4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?

This was a direct quote from Genesis 2:24.

For further study on the infallibility of scripture you can read a very good article from Answers in Genesis found HERE and HERE.

Wes
Galatians 2:20