Only by Grace

August 12, 2016

Looking back at the partial life story of a neighbor and brother in Christ, Gregory Lane, who passed on over 2 years ago now, I noticed a link to this song. It is an uplifting reminder of the reformation that God has made in every Christian life.

Greg was an inspiration to all who read his blog. His illness with ALS and his attitude about it was a great example to me. Even though we lived in the same State, I never had the opportunity to meet Greg in person. We will meet some day.

By clicking on this link, you’ll see the “About” on Greg’s blog, still being maintained by his wife and daughter. Greg was very honest about his illness. He linked to a different version of “Only by Grace” at this link.

I have posted this version of the song so that the words, which obviously meant a lot to Greg, can be read.

Greg continued blogging almost until the end of his earthly life.

cr

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Posted by Chris

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

August 8, 2016

I would like to thank Octavian Curpas for letting me know this was on Pastor Ciprian Barsan’s blog Din inima pentru tine found HERE.

Both Octavian and Pastor Barsan write for blogs that give God the glory. They are both Christians of Romanian heritage and they are very active in the American/Romanian community spreading the truth of the Gospel message.

I have known Octavian for some time now and I appreciate his writing and his ability to find stories that I have not heard of. Octavian works in real estate around the Phoenix area in Arizona.

May God bless both of these men of God as they continue to allow God to work in their lives.

Enjoy this wonderful version (particularly the words) of a great Christian classic.

CR

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Posted by Chris

How Faith is Strengthened II

August 5, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-Yn4b9iClE&t=22s


“The people that do know their God shall be strong.” Da 11:32

Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the Scriptures as being persons who are enlightened and taught of the Lord; they are said to “have an unction from the Holy One”, and it is the Spirit’s peculiar office to lead them into all truth, and all this for the increase and the fostering of their faith. Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door, and then through that door we see our Saviour. Or, to use another similitude, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait then we love him, we cannot love a Christ whom we do not know, at least, in some degree. If we know but little of the excellences of Jesus, what he has done for us, and what he is doing now, we cannot love him much; but the more we know him, the more we shall love him. Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for a thing if we do not know of its existence? Hope may be the telescope, but till we receive instruction, our ignorance stands in the front of the glass, and we can see nothing whatever; knowledge removes the interposing object, and when we look through the bright optic glass we discern the glory to be revealed, and anticipate it with joyous confidence. Knowledge supplies us reasons for patience. How shall we have patience unless we know something of the sympathy of Christ, and understand the good which is to come out of the correction which our heavenly Father sends us? Nor is there one single grace of the Christian which, under God, will not be fostered and brought to perfection by holy knowledge. How important, then, is it that we should grow not only in grace, but in the “knowledge” of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)
————————————————–

The video about Derek Redmond was one of the first videos I ever put on this blog. I think it is fitting for two reasons: 1) Our world faces great challenges and 2) the 2016 Summer Olympics begin today. We must look to a source higher than ourselves for our answers. This message is clear in both the video and the devotion written by Charles Spurgeon.

I published this devotion just before the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in 2012. There were many reactions to the Opening Ceremonies in London. Since those games, articles have been written about the meaning of the four hour long event that most Americans never saw in full.

Only a few hours remain until the 2016 Opening Ceremonies take place in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Once again, millions of people will be connected worldwide by an Opening Ceremony in a “Summer” Olympics. Four years ago, many had questions about so many odd and unexplained items in the Opening in London. Since then, I’ve read several articles about the meaning behind many of the things in the London opening. They are a real mix of opinions, some connected with official and some with unofficial sources. None of the sources I could find seem to be specifically explanatory of many things in the London Opening Ceremonies in 2012. If anyone can find a script (which I have looked for) that helps one to understand the intent of the entire Opening in 2012, I would love to see it. There should be a very good explanation somewhere as the money spent on the opening would warrant one I should think.

Once very interested in Olympic games for the games themselves, I have become more interested because of the different cultures involved. I do appreciate the talent of the athletes but this has become less of a draw to me the older I’ve become. I will join millions to watch the opening this year. I’m curious to see if the Opening ceremonies are as odd as those in London in 2012. I wish the best to all in Rio. I hope that each athlete comes to understand from where his/her talent comes. It is a humbling and wonderful thing.

CR

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Posted by Chris

Is It Still Really That Important?

August 3, 2016
Pastor Mark Cain Village Bible Church Hot Springs Village Arkansas
Pastor Mark Cain
Village Bible Church
Hot Springs Village
Arkansas

“Yes, It’s still important to grow in learning how to live what you do out of what Jesus has done for you on the cross, Galatians 6:14.”

The link above will take you to another good message by Pastor Mark Cain of Village Bible Church. Pastor Mark is a teacher/pastor and I am privileged to be able to get to hear him fairly often.

Just click on the link and click on “watch.” 🙂

cr

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Posted by Chris

JERUSALEM

July 16, 2016

“…and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
‘The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.’” – Romans 11:26

So why is a large part of Israel not Christian at the posting of this brief article?

The answer is written in the verse that precedes the verse above. Romans 11:25 states:

“For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in”

Darrell Mansfield tells the Jews that “Your King is this Man from Galilee” in this song.

I enjoyed Darrell’s walk through the streets of Jerusalem in this 30 year old music video.

Darrell Mansfield was once a young man in search of meaning in life. His search ended at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ after some difficult times in his youth. This early music video was Filmed on location in Jerusalem, September 1986.

I agree with Dr. J. Vernon McGee that these verses are talking about literal Jews (Israelites). I also agree on his commentary involving these verses:

Romans 11 ‘Thru the Bible’ with Dr. J. Vernon McGee
(Click on #8 if you wish to hear Dr. McGee’s commentary on Romans 11:26…It wouldn’t take long to listen to the commentary on the rest of the chapter, too!)

I am watching the tiny little country of Israel become more isolated from the rest of the world. Many former friends have and are leaving them. I will always be a friend to the nation of Israel because of an everlasting covenant that God make with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I believe that the Bible teaches that God will eventually intervene on their behalf. How He does that remains to be seen. One thing I am not concerned about is the destruction of the Israelites. It will not happen.

cr

Darrell Mansfield’s first appearance on an album with the group Gentile Faith. “Jerusalem” is my favorite song on this album.

2 Comments | Commentary, Israel, Love of God, The Middle East, theology, worship | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Chris

“THE TRUTH OF THE LORD IS EVERLASTING”

July 11, 2016

Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible. Its two verses are powerful and instructive:

1 Praise the Lord, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!

2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!

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Posted by Chris

Confession and Prayer and…”Selfism”

June 29, 2016

“13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that [s]he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

-James 5

I want to thank Maria Bowen for putting this message up on a website devoted to a church we both attended years ago. Alistair Begg rightly divides God’s Word in this focus on prayer.

cr

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Posted by Chris

BIBLICAL PROTESTS

June 23, 2016

I have met some wonderful people across the world in this effort to correct human rights abuses in Norway. Most, but not all, have been Christians like me.

Cristina Nicoli has been one of the protesters that has worked very hard to make Australians aware of abuses in Foster care systems in many places in our world today.

Cristina spent a good deal of time making a wonderful video that has been taken down for some unknown reason.

The video was very encouraging and inspirational to me as it mentioned Biblical stories where people of God did something to protest evil in this world.

Thank you Cristina, for this and the many posters you have designed and taken to churches to make them aware of such abuses. You are using your gift for the glory of God and I can’t help but notice.

Chris Reimers

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Posted by Chris

Intense Hostility against Preaching in Jerusalem

June 12, 2016

Pastor Jim has posted something very interesting here. One of his comments after the post reads:

“I don’t know why there was the added sounds. I thought it was insightful though of how some Jews today react to the Gospel being preached. I support the state of Israel to exist but I think Christians must remember that modern Israeli are not necessarily all friendly to the Gospel.”

Today, I was talking with some friends about the United Nations. It has decided to make negative and unequal (in proportion to other nations) statements about the small little country. It appears that the entire world is against Israel.

In spite of all these negatives, one very important thing is true. Here is a portion of the discussion on FB today regarding this truth and it’s nonacceptance at the U.N.:

“Look at the continued pressure they put on God’s covenant land and people. It is unwise. “Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you.” This is an everlasting covenant that came from God to Abraham and continued through Isaac and Jacob.”

“It is quite a thing that the Jews are being regathered in Israel. I don’t think there’s another example like it in history.”

I am like Pastor Jim. I support Israel because of an everlasting covenant that God has made. I think they have a great leader currently. He is very friendly towards Christians unlike the Jews in this video.

A gospel presentation should always be balanced. It should include the ramifications of the Law along with the Good News. Hell is a real place and when we talk about it, it must be in a balanced manner.

I would like to add this little story. When I was in Jr. College, I was a member of the Christian Club. Our goal was to share the Gospel on campus. We held weekly meetings and we were quite visible on campus. We did the best we could, as young people, to balance the scriptures. There is the Law. There is the Gospel.

One day, a man none of us had ever seen, walked on campus with a large sign that said something about “Burning in Hell.” He was very unbalanced. There was no gospel about him. It was all Law and we feared he would undo much of what we had tried to accomplish. We divided up. One group prayed while the other tried to explain his imbalance to him. Christians were much more concerned that day than any non-Christians. The argument that day was between Christians and this man, whatever he was. It was Christians who chased the guy off in the end.

After watching this video twice, I think there is a balanced view shared here. I was not there for the entire day but I will say that I wish I had been. I have never been to Jerusalem but I know I will be there someday and that it will look quite different than the Jerusalem in this video. If I had been there for the entire day, I could give you a better view about the balance in the message. Based on the video, however, I appreciate these men of God and their willingness to face possible harm in order to reach the lost.

SLIMJIM's avatarThe Domain for Truth

This video is rather intense of a recently evangelism in Jerusalem by American preachers doing open-air preaching.

I am stunned at the spitting going on by the Israeli unbelievers.  It is pretty gross.  Then there’s the grabbing and the harassing.

It reminds me of what our Lord and Savior faced.

Pray for the salvation of those who were there.  I pray that Israel would come to know her Messiah: Jesus Christ.

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4 Comments | Commentary, Israel, Love of God, The Middle East, theology | Permalink
Posted by Chris

Ye that love the Lord hate evil – Psalm 97:10

June 7, 2016

“Ye that love the Lord hate evil.”
Psalm 97:10

Thou hast good reason to “hate evil,” for only consider what harm it has already wrought thee. Oh, what a world of mischief sin has brought into thy heart! Sin blinded thee so that thou couldst not see the beauty of the Saviour; it made thee deaf so that thou couldst not hear the Redeemer’s tender invitations. Sin turned thy feet into the way of death, and poured poison into the very fountain of thy being; it tainted thy heart, and made it “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Oh, what a creature thou wast when evil had done its utmost with thee, before divine grace interposed! Thou wast an heir of wrath even as others; thou didst “run with the multitude to do evil.” Such were all of us; but Paul reminds us, “but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” We have good reason, indeed, for hating evil when we look back and trace its deadly workings. Such mischief did evil do us, that our souls would have been lost had not omnipotent love interfered to redeem us. Even now it is an active enemy, ever watching to do us hurt, and to drag us to perdition. Therefore “hate evil,” O Christians, unless you desire trouble. If you would strew your path with thorns, and plant nettles in your death-pillow, then neglect to “hate evil:” but if you would live a happy life, and die a peaceful death, then walk in all the ways of holiness, hating evil, even unto the end. If you truly love your Saviour, and would honour him, then “hate evil.” We know of no cure for the love of evil in a Christian like abundant intercourse with the Lord Jesus. Dwell much with him, and it is impossible for you to be at peace with sin.

“Order my footsteps by thy Word,

And make my heart sincere;

Let sin have no dominion, Lord,

But keep my conscience clear.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Born: June 19, 1834, Kelvedon, United Kingdom
Died: January 31, 1892, Menton, France

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Posted by Chris

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