The Uncertainty of Riches

The Apostle Paul gives some really timely instruction regarding finances in 1 Timothy 6. Here’s a quick overview. . .

First, it’s better to make gains in godliness than wealth. As we brought nothing into the world, so we won’t take anything out of it either (1 Tim.6:6,7).

Second, food and covering should bring contentment. This doesn’t mean it’s wrong to have more than mere necessities, but we should learn to be content when God is meeting our basic needs (1 Tim.6:8).

Third, those who want to get rich fall into temptation, and end up ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin (1 Tim.6:10).

Fourth, the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. Note, it’s not money itself that leads to evil, but the love of it (1 Tim.6:10).

Fifth, those who are rich in this present world should not be conceited or fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Tim.6:17).

Sixth, those who are rich should also seek to do good and be rich in good works. By being generous they store up for themselves a good foundation for the blessings of everlasting life (1 Tim.6:18,19).

Biblical Worship Podcast with Jeff Meyers

I just posted another podcast, this time with Pastor Jeff Meyers. In this discussion we consider the theme of biblical worship from various angles.

Pastor Meyers serves at Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary. Pastor Meyers is also the author of “The Lord’s Service: The Grace of Covenant Renewal Worship.” You can learn more about Jeff Meyers by visiting his church website, providencestlouis.squarespace.com.

The Greatest Fear

People fear many things these days. People fear cancer, crime, financial ruin, and the loss of liberty. There are other fears that keep us worrying, too — like the fear of other people!

One fear we do not have much of is the fear of God – and that’s too bad. The fear of God is the greatest fear – as in the best – that any people can possess. Because it’s the fear of God that drives out all other fears, and leads us to be secure in Him.

The scarcity of godly fear these days is not surprising. The view of God that’s most prevalent has Him as so benign, tame, and watered down that it makes Him not only hard to fear, but hard to even respect.

But what if God is more than what we have made Him to be? What if He is more than just our cheerleader and friend? What if He really is as the Bible presents Him? What if He is holy, just, and angry with the wicked every day (Ps.7:11)?

More particularly, what if God really is in control of all things, and sees fit to withdraw His blessing when we displease Him? What if our present troubles have arisen because we have in fact offended Him? This would make Him worthy of fear, wouldn’t it?

In these days of confusion and distress it would do us well to consider and recover the fear of God. After all, what has our “No Fear” attitude toward God gotten us. Has it made us a more responsible, righteous, prosperous, secure, content, and happy people? No, actually, it has brought about just the opposite.

When we look to the Bible we see that this is just what we should expect when we forsake the fear of God.

No Sensible Person is an Atheist

The Bible tells us that atheists are fools (Ps.14:1). Strong words. Jay Adams explains why these words are fitting. . .

“An agnostic? Well, I can see how this is at least a tenable position for an unbeliever. After all, Paul wrote about the impossibility of such persons to understand or welcome the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians). If your eyes are closed and you admit it, as the agnostic in a sense does, so be it. That’s respectable. But an atheist? Now, he’s a different kind of cat. Who can make such an untenable boast as that there is no God? The Psalmist answers, “The fool has said in his heart ‘there is no God’” (Psalm 14:1).

Why is an atheist a fool?

In answer, let me simply suggest one reason: no one knows enough to be an atheist.

If, for instance, God is a spirit, how would you be able to ascertain His whereabouts or non-whereabouts? You can’t see or feel a spirit. As of late, even with all of our electronic marvels, I haven’t yet seen a spirit-detector for sale. How can he know that there is no God?

Secondly, supposing he was able to go everywhere in search of God, how would he know that God wasn’t just one jump ahead of (or behind) him? To make the affirmation with any reasonable basis for it, he would have had to be everywhere at the same time to discover that God wasn’t there. But, of course, that would mean he is omnipresent and omniscient (and probably omnipotent) to be able to be there. But then, if he were all of these, he’d be God—and hardly be an atheist.

Now, I don’t want to let the agnostics off too easily. There are two kinds of agnostics. One doesn’t know, and one who doesn’t care. I don’t have much respect for the second. He doesn’t care enough to find out so he can tell his children whether there is or not. Shame on him. The other kind doesn’t know, but it troubles him immeasurably. He should keep on seeking: “Seek and ye shall find.” There’s hope for him.”

The Roots of Social Justice

Is your church preaching the gospel or socialism?

Great interview with Peter Lillback.  In it he explains the hijacking of Christian language and concepts by socialists.

The Second Greatest Commandment

In a day when there’s so much indifference toward the people around us, it’s good to remember and apply the second greatest commandment.

What is the second greatest commandment?

The first greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind. The second is like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt.22:37-40).

Did you get that? You are to love your neighbor in the same way you love yourself.

In His parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk.10:25-37), Jesus made it plain that neighbors are those who God puts in our path. This would make those we live with our closest neighbors, with the next closest being those who live, work, and play nearby.

Overcoming our natural indifference toward our neighbors and extending ourselves toward them is essential for a healthy society. But what can we do to overcome our present disinterest and connect with our neighbors in a way that fulfills Christ’s command?

Here are a few ideas to put into practice.

First, be aware of your neighbors. Don’t be so caught up in your own private world that you miss what is going on in the lives around you. Pay attention to those who come and go in your midst.

Second, get to know your neighbors. Those on the periphery of your life are not just objects to deal with, but people like you, with their own hopes and cares. Get to know them.

Grace-Driven Effort

“People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.”

~ D.A. Carson

What do you think of what Dr. Carson says here?

Children of the Promise (podcast on infant baptism)

Just posted another podcast from Christ Church Media.

In this podcast we discuss with Pastor Randy Booth his journey from a baptist view of baptism to an infant baptist view. Pastor Booth’s change of position on this matter led him to write a book entitled Children of the Promise: The Biblical Case for Infant Baptism as a way of helping others understand the doctrine of covenant baptism.

Pastor Booth has been an ordained minister for 26 years and is the pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Nacogdoches, Texas. He is also the director of Covenant Media Foundation and served as the moderator of the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches.

Throughout his ministry Randy has been active in both the pro-life and Christian education movements. He has also overseen the planting of numerous churches. Pastor Booth is married and the father of three grown children and eight grand-children.

This is an excellent podcast for those who want to better understand the infant baptist position.

Ascension Day

On the fortieth day after His resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:3,9). There He sat down at the right hand of the Father, waiting until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet (Heb.10:12).

Because of His ascension, we can be assured Christ’s kingdom will not fail, and it will endure forever.

“And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.”

~ Daniel 7:14

BloodMoney

BloodMoney is a documentary film that exposes the truth behind the Abortion Industry from the Pro Life perspective.

This film will examine the history of abortion in America, from the inception of Planned Parenthood and the profitability of abortion clinics, to Roe v. Wade, to the denial of when life begins, to the fight to save the lives of innocent babies, and the devastating effects it has had on the women that have had them.

Abortion is a business that depends on the total exploitation of women and the unborn.

Watch the trailer. The film features former doctors and nurses in the abortion business. Powerful. Shameful.