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Grace

"Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves... the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession.  Cheap grace is grace without discipleship....

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sough again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock...

It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life." 

 Dietrich Bonhoeffer {The Cost of Discipleship}  

The Perishing Land and Burning Wilderness

While the following passage was directed at unfaithful Israel, it could just as well apply to the United States of America.  Notice especially the last part of verse 2 with regards to the prolonged drought in Texas.  The last verse makes it clear that the non-Jewish nations who do not serve Jehovah will also be punished.     
 
Jeremiah 9:2-25
2 Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?
¹³ And the LORD said, “Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it, ¹⁴ but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them,” ¹⁵ therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. ¹⁶ I will scatter them also among the Gentiles, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. And I will send a sword after them until I have consumed them.”

The People Mourn in Judgment

  
¹⁷ Thus says the LORD of hosts:


      “ Consider and call for the mourning women,
      That they may come;
      And send for skillful wailing women,
      That they may come.
       ¹⁸ Let them make haste
      And take up a wailing for us,
      That our eyes may run with tears,
      And our eyelids gush with water.
       ¹⁹ For a voice of wailing is heard from Zion:

      ‘ How we are plundered!
      We are greatly ashamed,
      Because we have forsaken the land,
      Because we have been cast out of our dwellings.’”
       ²⁰ Yet hear the word of the LORD, O women,
      And let your ear receive the word of His mouth;
      Teach your daughters wailing,
      And everyone her neighbor a lamentation.
       ²¹ For death has come through our windows,
      Has entered our palaces,
      To kill off the children—no longer to be outside!
      And the young men—no longer on the streets!
       ²² Speak, “Thus says the LORD:


      ‘ Even the carcasses of men shall fall as refuse on the open field,
      Like cuttings after the harvester,
      And no one shall gather them.’”

²³ Thus says the LORD:


      “ Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
      Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
      Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
       ²⁴ But let him who glories glory in this,
      That he understands and knows Me,
      That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
      For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

²⁵ “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “that I will punish all who are circumcised with the uncircumcised— ²⁶ Egypt, Judah, Edom, the people of Ammon, Moab, and all who are in the farthest corners, who dwell in the wilderness. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.”

Why I Hate Religion...

Powerful short video! 

David Barton says Glenn Beck is a Christian...

Read Brannon Howse's column on this topic, here.  Or listen to Howse's radio show about David Barton and Glenn Beck. 

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?"  1 Corinthians 6:14-16a

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed."  Galatians 1:8-9

Food for Thought

Thoughts

As  we go about life, we need to keep in mind that we are, as 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. We should obey that commandment, not because it's in the Bible and "God said so," but ultimately because of God's character. God is 100% pure. Since we are His children (through "adoption"/salvation), we are to have "fidelity to the original." In other words, because we are Christ's children, we must reflect His character by being pure, as salt and light to this dark world. Some of you may give the excuse, "well, no one can read my mind." But the Bible says to the contrary. Genesis 6:5 says,

"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."{Italics added for emphasis}

A few other references are: 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 94:11; Matthew 9:3,4; Matthew 12:24,25; Luke 5:21,22; Luke 6:7,8; Luke 11:16,17; Hebrews 4:12.

I like what our old blog header said: "thoughts and musings...all for God's glory." As the Westminster Shorter Catechism says, "Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." That means we are to glorify God in every area of our lives-- in our thoughts, in our relationships, in our actions, in our speech.

Proverbs 16:3 promises, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Is Gold Money?

Ron Paul's comment about the video (above) he posted on his Facebook page: 

"Earlier today I asked Ben Bernanke "Is Gold Money?", can you guess what his answer was?"

Most comments on YouTube videos are totally worthless reading, but this one was absolutely hilarious, and made an interesting point:

"so if gold isn't money, and paper money isn't money... Then what Ben is saying is...
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS MONEY!!!
if it doesn't exist, then why pay it back? Who needs a debt ceiling if debt isn't real?" - JonasPlanck

My, oh my, what has this nation come to? 

Verses to Think On

I was reading through Proverbs a few weeks ago, and came across these interesting verses.  I thought it was amazing how they all relate to each other, along with one I came across in 2 Corinthians. 

"Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."  Proverbs 11:4

"In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death."  Proverbs 12:28

"He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage."  Proverbs 11:18

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."  Proverbs 11:30

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  2 Corinthians 5:21

My thoughts:

No matter how many earthly riches you may have, they will not profit anything when the Day of Judgment comes.  Only righteousness, Christ's righteousness, will have any profit, any deliverance from death in that day.  May we be found in His righteousness, alone, on that day. 

The Truth About Todd Bentley

Say what?

Fruit

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

"By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:8

^"19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,^[a] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders,^[b] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:19-23

Artwork by Mom

Something to Think About

Some good food for thought!

Verse of the Day - Know Your Flock

"Be diligent to know the state of your flocks. For riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations." - Proverbs 27:23

In the era of Solomon when this passage was written, the shepherding trade was thriving. This analogy of the shepherd knowing how his sheep are faring not only applies to shepherding, but also to one's heart. We must know where we stand in our relationship towards the Almighty, and in our relationships towards our fellow human beings. This passage goes right along with Proverbs 4:23, which reads, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life."

Phoebe's 15!

At the Defending the Faith conference.  We girls got our picture taken with Voddie Baucham.

I posted this on my blog Saturday, Phoebe's actual birthday.

Today is a special day at our house. 15 years ago this afternoon, we received into our hearts and home a beautiful, brown-eyed bundle of joy whom we named Phoebe (Greek – Bright and radiant).

In front of a green screen

I had been praying for a little sister I could share a room with, since I had two brothers (I was the middle child at that point), I wanted someone I could talk to, play with and share “girly” experiences.

Dear Pheebs

Phoebe is one of the quiet, mature young ladies I know her age. She has wise words to share, sweet gestures to make and acts of kindness to those around her. And, she is very smart! Oh, and one other thing I LOVE about her – she is a talented pianist!

Beautiful girl

P - Patient. Playful. Prayerful. Pretty. Pianist.

H – Hopeful. Honest. Helpful. Happy.

O – Obedient. Optimistic. Orderly.

E - Eager. Earnest. Effective.

B – Bold. Beautiful. Big-hearted.

E – Exuberant. Exciting. Essential.

At the Creation Museum

I am so thankful that Phoebe is a part of our family. She is such a blessing, and she shows it every day when she works in the kitchen, edits videos, does her schoolwork, plays with Jaden, talks to Mom, or folds the latest load of laundry. Beyond all of those things, she has a passion for people – especially evangelizing them, winning lost souls for Jesus Christ! God has truly gifted her with a sharp intellect, a wit that few possess. She has been able to put all that to use in her creative video editing jobs and in her input for our Ministry.

At the Circle

I love you Phoebe! May the Lord richly bless you day by day as you serve Him, and give you many more joyful years of life!

All the Women of the Bible

Today I was studying 5 women from the Bible. I used the book All the Women of the Bible to find out information about these women. I read about: Lot's wife, Jochebed, Abigail, Jezebel and Phebe (or Phoebe).

When I was reading about Lot's wife, I ran across these interesting words:

"She [Lot's wife] still stands as a permanent symbol of the woman who looks back and refuses to move forward, the woman who, faced toward salvation, still turns to look longingly on material things she has left behind."

After I read that sentence I thought, "Would I have been like Lot's wife and looked back". I hope I wouldn't have. But, is that how I am today? The Lord supplies salvation, but I'd rather have the material things over the immeasurable gift of God? May we, whether we are men or women, never choose material things over God's gift of salvation.

Also, when I was reading about Jezebel, I found this interesting:

"Jezebel's name even appears in the dictionary as a term of reproach. Certainly no woman's name in history has become so commonly accepted as a synonym for wickedness."

Jezebel is remembered as an outstanding example of what every women ought not to be. Instead, we women should strive to be like Jochebed, Abigail and Phebe. Holy, committed, humble, faith-filled, courageous, wise, gracious, nobble, pure and gentle.

Passion Week: Selected Readings 4

Happy Resurrection Day! He is risen! He is risen indeed!

¹ Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. ² But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. ³ Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. ⁵ Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, ⁷ saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”
⁸ And they remembered His words. ⁹ Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰ It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. ¹¹ And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. ¹² But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened." Luke 24:1-12

Happy Resurrection Day everybody!

Thanks to Abby's blog for this post.

Passion Week: Selected Readings 4

Today we will read from Mark 15, Jesus is buried:

⁴² Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴ Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. ⁴⁵ So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶ Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. ⁴⁷ And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

Thanks to Abby's blog for this post.

Passion Week: Selected Readings 3

Today is Good Friday and I am going to share my favorite passion week scripture - John 17

John 17

Jesus Prays for Himself

¹ Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, ² as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. ³ And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ⁴ I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. ⁵ And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

⁶ “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. ⁷ Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. ⁸ For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
⁹ “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. ¹⁰ And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. ¹¹ Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. ¹² While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. ¹³ But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. ¹⁸ As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Jesus Prays for All Believers

²⁰ “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³ I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
²⁴ “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. ²⁶ And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Thanks to Abby's blog for this post.

Passion Week: Selected Readings 2

Our reading for today is from Hebrews 9 -

how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where there is a testament there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood." Hebrews 9:14-18

Thanks to Abby's blog for this post.

Passion Week: Selected Readings 1

Today I would like to share with you two significant passages speaking of Christ's passion.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence," Ephesians 1:7-8

And also in Ephesians we read:

For He Himself is our peace who has made both one, and has has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." Ephesians 2:14-18

Christ is our Peace, Righteousness, and Mediator. Praise His name this Easter!

Photo credit: John Game

Thanks to Abby's blog for this post.