A near miss…

Several weeks ago my boys and I were in traffic slowing down for a red light when a small pick up truck whipped around the side of our van where there was not enough room for another vehicle. Somehow this pickup truck seemed to avoid hitting us but blew out two of his tires.  Somehow he was able to get in front of us, pull into the gas station and we did too. He said his brakes had failed.

A helping hand (in more ways than one?)…

Then about two weeks ago the boys and I were driving through a city park nearby when my tire went flat. I had to pull over. I was on a curve in the road of the park. As I was on the cell phone calling roadside service I happened to look up and was shocked to see a man standing by my car window. I told him we were fine. He said he could help with the tire ( his wife was running the track there and I guess he was just waiting for her).

I accepted the help but stayed vigilant about the situation.  I did see his wife (with jogging stroller) and I called my husband to let him know what was going on. Then another man showed up.

The first man was having trouble getting the tire loose from under the van and the second man seemed to know how to do it.

When the job was done the couple (and their baby in the jogging stroller) started to walk away but man #2 lowered his voice and began to say he wasn’t from around “here” and really needed to leave and was looking for some help.

Thankfully, the wife of the other man  was looking my way and I silently motioned to her to wait. She did. I told man #2 I didn’t have any money (and let me just say I did NOT want him asking me for a ride anywhere). I’m not opposed to helping others, but I knew better than to let that happen just for the sake of being safe!

“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:” Isaiah 59:1

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you.” I Peter 5:6-7

A divine appointment…

About 10 years ago I was working in sales for a cemetery providing pre-need and at-need services. I did a home presentation in another city about a half hour or so away from home. I was meeting with an older couple. Through our conversing we discovered we knew some of the same people. This couple were Christians as I am and there’s just something special you feel when meeting with other people who know the Lord.

Long story short, after our meeting I headed home- it was late and dark…around 10pm. My car broke down. I walked to the closest house  and they let me use their phone. I was able to call the couple I’d just met.  My car could not be fixed that night and so, I became their guest.  In the morning the Mrs. made me pancakes for breakfast and I found out at some point that they had my car sent to a repair shop (that of a  man also being a Christian who knew some of the same people I knew) and it didn’t end up costing me much money.

[My connection to these folks did not end that night. My husband and I, while dating, went back to visit these folks for dinner, eventually, and the Mrs. has been over to our house once or twice, her husband passed away years ago.]

I could go on about the risky situations I’ve found myself in from my apartment being broken into to lack of money or broken down cars. But God has always taken care of me!

“But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.  And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” Psalm 37:39-40

Do you know the Lord? There’s no relationship in the world like the one you can have with Him, He is the God of the universe! Its not about religion, its about admitting the truth that you are a sinner separated from God, believing that Jesus Christ (God’s Son) died for your sins to pay your sin debt, He was buried, He rose from the dead and by putting your trust in Him for salvation you can know Him and spend eternity with Him in heaven after after death. If you are not sure whether you are  a sinner I encourage you to take this test:  Are you good enough for heaven?

Also linking at Mom’s the Word.

A lot of people believe what they believe because its how they were taught growing up. They believe what their parent’s or grandparents or other respected associates believe.

What if my beliefs are wrong? What if your beliefs are wrong? What do we do when we realize that what we believe really isn’t what the Bible says is true?

Last Wednesday night was the first week in a seven week series at our church on what the bible has to say about “Tongues, Healing and the Charismatic Movement”.

My friend had guests with her who were from a Pentecostal Church. She shared with me the surprise her guest exhibited to hear what the bible really says about Tongues, Healing and the Charismatic Movement. Here he was, from a Pentecostal Church and never heard the clear teaching of scripture on such things. He wanted to talk to Doug, who was leading the study.

I’m going to give you the entire study sheet in my post because I don’t think the church puts the Wednesday services online like they do the Sunday services.  Where you see a word underlined, that is where we had to fill in a blank on our sheet.

You can copy/paste my post into something so you can print it off if you’d like.

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FBCJ Wednesday Evening Elective Study  Summer 2011

WEEK 1 – July 20, 2011 : Tongues, Healing, and the Charismatic Movement

Context Matters

Before we begin our series, we must make something very clear. We are not mad at Charismatics. We do not have an axe to grind with them. We do not believe that all Charismatics are lost- just like not all Baptists are saved. We know that there are good, godly Pentecostals/Charismatics that love God, hate sin, and desire for the lost world to be saved. Some of you had this testimony in the past.

This study is designed for the First Baptist Church of Jackson so that its members are properly equipped to discern activities in “Christianity” happening around us today.

This study will not just inform us about these “titled” issues, but also cause us to understand God’s Word and to love Him more. Every disciple-making church should “major” on preaching and teaching “What the Bible Says!”

Introduction

Acts 2 : 1-36 – Acts 2 opens with what has become perhaps one of the most controversial issues in the religious world. There is much division among individual Christians and local churches concerning “tongues” and its biblical purpose. The Pentecostal and Charismatic movements have put an intense emphasis on the gift of speaking in unknown tongues, a phenomena they refer to as “speaking in tongues.” This has turned in to a very controversial subject throughout all Christianity. This series will help us to identify this issue of “speaking in tongues”; it will address other surrounding issues of modern day apostolic healing, and basic information about the activities and history of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. We will answer the question: Are these signs and wonders for us today?

Everyone, from time to time, has some unusual spiritual experience develop. It is at this time that we must compare our situation or experience to the infallible standard which God gives us… the Bible. It is then that we can determine exactly how God wants us to respond through his revealed truth.

How To Judge All Signs, Wonders, and Spiritual Gifts

1.   Laying a biblical foundation for discerning truth

a.   John 7:24 – Jesus is involved in a controversy with the Jews. The controversy began as Jesus taught the scriptures in the temple. They marveled at the authority that he demonstrated as he taught the scriptures. They also became angry with him because of the way He was teaching and the things He was doing. He draws the controversy to a conclusion by directing them back to the source of their faith, the scriptures. They should not judge according to what they thought, but according to what the Bible says.

• How else can you make a “righteous judgment”?
• We have the mind of Christ – I Corinthians 2:16

b.  John 17:17 – Jesus desires that we be set apart (sanctified) from this present world system through the truth. That “truth” is the Word of God.

NOTE: Because the signs and wonders of the Charismatic Movement do not (as we will see) withstand the scrutiny of the Holy Bible, they cannot be sanctifying. Therefore, they are of this world!

c.  Psalm 119: 105, 130 -  When things are dark (hidden) and not clear to us, we must hold the Word of God up to those situations and let the Bible enlighten us.

NOTE: Anyone that would first witness a Charismatic meeting would question its validity.

For example:

• Why only in  church meetings are people healed?
• Why not go to a cancer ward at the Children’s hospital right now?
• Why are they speaking in unknown words?
• The answer to these questions is hidden without the Bible.

d.  Proverbs 22: 20-21 – God’s Word does, in fact, have specific and detailed answers.  [... If we will search it].

2.  Judging all experiences

a.  We must judge every experience by the infallible standard which is greater than any experience.

• 2 Peter 1: 16-21 – Peter heard the audible voice of God, but said that the prophecy or scripture is a “more sure word”.  This was in comparison to the real, valid event he experienced on the “Mount of Transfiguration” (Matt. 17:1-4).
• 2 Timothy 1:13 -  When confronted with the truth of the Bible vs. a seemingly real and valid experience, the experience must be judged in the light of the Bible. If the experience does not line up with the Bible, we are faced with a decision.  One must go in order to “hold fast” to the other.  The experience must be the one to go.  We must always “hold fast” to the Bible – no matter what!!  (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

b.  Habits must be developed – we must always ask the following questions:

• What does the Bible say?

NOTE:  This is not the same as “show me a verse”.  A verse can be taken out of context.  A verse can be used to prove just about anything!  It does not matter what we think.  It does not matter what we experience in regard to the truth or what is true – the Bible supersedes these things!  Consider this – man makes decisions based on his immediate needs…and the Devil is in the deception business…

• Am I willing to change what I think and feel in light of what the Bible clearly says?

NOTE: I always qualify any debate or controversy with this question.  You should think about this point for the rest of your life!

Matthew 7: 21-29 – Jesus explains that just because a person uses His name and acts religious does not mean that the person knows Him. He then likens a man that hears his words and doeth them to a wise man.  In contrast, he likens a man who hears his words and doeth them not to a foolish man.  This study will be explained by using the best, most accurate text book — the Holy Bible!  Let’s be wise!

This was the first week in a 7 week series on Tongues, Healing and the Charismatic Movement. Tomorrow night, Wednesday at 7:15pm  is Week 2 in this series.

Visit FBCJ.com for more information.

*I don’t plan on typing out each study sheet so if this is something you want to follow be sure to make plans to attend or ask the church if they will have sheets and recordings available.

*Also linking up with Thought Provoking Thursdays.

Jesus wasn’t just a man, He was God – in the flesh and he suffered a horrible torturing and crucifixion on the cross. But that wouldn’t be the end of the story.

To be continued in 3 days…

If you don’t want to wait, read some of my previous posts here:
Jesus, Judging, and the True Gospel
Happy Easter- He is risen {freebies}
The Word that is above the Name -Part 2

As we see the only sun rise in the morning bringing life to our world- our soul should be drawn to ask “Who did this?” Like a bridge needs a builder and a painting needs an painter.

Do we question whether such things just “happened” one day? No, we automatically know someone with a plan is behind it!

Even in secular music we can see pictures of God’s love.

I’ve recently come across this French song- its been around, nothing new on the scene. I looked up the English translation and it is a love song about how far one would go for the person they loved. I found an incredible picture in this song about the depth of God’s love for you and me – and this isn’t a “Christian” song and I know nothing about these men’s personal lives.

By the way, did you know that if you’ve trusted in Christ you are His Bride?

Yes, you are, whether you are man or women- every believer is part of the Church,also called the body of Christ or TheBride.  As my Pastor says: he’s fallen deeply in love with a man… Jesus Christ!

I love hearing the following song in its French version with all its emotion and thinking about how much God loved us that He came in the form of man, Jesus Christ who is God, God the Son.  All He left, gave up and went through for the joy set before him…(you and me).

You might want to read the English lyrics while you listen to this song- the English title is “If That’s What It Takes“:

“I will risk everything, I will fight, I will bleed, I will lay down my life if that’s what you need”…

He gave up everything for You and Me.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame, and is set down

at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

No one else ever did that for you. Not Confuscious, Buddha, Mohammed or any others.

God made marriage a picture of His great love …

“Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;…So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:”  Ephesians 5: 25, 28-29

Like it or not, the bible is clear. Marriage is only to be between man and woman. Homosexuality is a choice, a decision, to follow after sinful lusts that probably just about any human being is capable of feeling. Having that desire is one thing, choosing to fulfill it is sin.  Homosexuality is an abomination in God’s eyes and  distorts the picture of His love for His Body, the Church.  Romans 1:18-32; Genesis 18 & 19 Sodom & Gomorrah.

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** Click here to find out why You do need Jesus Christ.

This week’s SMR {Sunday Morning Review} …   And Merry Christmas to you all!

Sunday was our church’s Special Christmas service so we didn’t continue Ephesians this week. Instead the message was about “Who is Jesus Christ and Why did he come?” What better message for a Christmas service then to talk about the person at the center of it. I checked the church’s website today and didn’t see the message linked so I don’t know if it will be put Okay- it IS on the mp3 list or not click that link and scroll down to the date 12/19/10 and message titled “Who is Jesus Christ and Why did he come?”. You can probably download the study sheet there too.

I will just still give you the notes below. It was a simple message stating the facts as given to us in scripture. You can copy this page for yourself if you’d like. Be sure to look up the verses next to the statement.

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Who is Jesus Christ?

He is our hope.   I Timothy 1:1

He’s the image of the invisible God.   Colossions 1:15

He is Emmanuel…(which means) God with us.  Matthew 1:23

He’s the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.  Revelation 19:16

He’s the Lamb of God.   John 1:29

He’s the Lord of Peace.  II Thessalonians 3:16

He’s called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

He’s the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  Revelation 2:16

He’s the door…if any man enter in, he shall be saved.  John 10:9

He’s the way, the truth, and the life.   John 14:6

He’s THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Jeremiah 23:6

He’s the author and finisher of our faith.   Hebrews 12:2

He’s the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God.  I Timothy 1:17

He’s the Rock.  I Corinthians 10:4

Why did He come?

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.  Luke 9:56

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  Luke 19:10

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.  John 6:38

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  John 12:47 (His first coming here, was NOT to judge us. But His Second coming will be).

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.  I Timothy 1:15

The Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  I John 3:8b

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindred of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so,  Amen.

Revelation 1:7 (This will will happen at his NEXT appearing! and He will be the Judge then. And He is coming back, soon. Are you ready to meet Him?)

*Take the Good Test here at this link to know why YOU need Jesus Christ as your Savior.
**See All SMR‘s.

In this previous post, which was also today, I introduced that I will be sharing at least a brief post ideally every Sunday or Monday on what we are learning at church (my Sunday Morning Reviews or SMR). Our senior Pastor- Pastor Tom preaches using the expository method- that is, he preaches verse by verses, chapter by chapter just the way the bible is written. He covers everything. And then we compare scripture with scripture. The bible is amazing and it only gets more amazing the longer your read and the more you dig into it! God is amazing!

Today we looked at, but didn’t finish, Ephesians 6:11-12. Yes- 2 verses! But a lot of other verses came into play as well (we compare scripture with scripture!). Part of living in victory as a Christian involves knowing who your enemy is and how he works. Its just like military life- you have to know how the enemy operates if you’re going to defeat him.

A brief, brief summary:

• People are not our enemies- whether you’re a Christian or not- its the power or influence thats motivating them to do those wrong things and that motivation or influence is from Satan. Even Christians can be influenced by him.
• The real battles isn’t about what we see (flesh and blood)…its about the unseen…
• Did you know Satan used to work for God, his name was Lucifer and he was a brilliant, beautiful being. You’ll learn more about him here.
• Satan has his own work force distributed around the world (principalities)…  {Do you believe in angels?}

Here’s the link to listen freely to todays message by mp3: Know Your Enemy – Part 1 and you can download the study sheet as well. When you click here for the message you will have to scroll down and look for today’s date 12/5/10. Its all Free.

*If you think I’m crazy I assure you I’m not. I just believe the bible   If you’re new to my blog, you might want to subscribe here to get my updates by email or RSS.

If I haven’t told you yet, I’ll say it now…my family is very blessed to be a part of a bible believing, disciple making church!

In a time where many churches are not feeding their flocks the Word of God like they ought- we are fed a full spiritual meal on a regular basis. I know not all my readers probably care about that, but I’m sure some of you do.

For those of you who do, I’m planning to start sharing at least a small post with a short summary about our Sunday morning messages with a link to my churches’ FREE mp3 page which also offers free study sheets that you can download for your own study. Our pastors regularly give us study sheets at church so we have the information to go home with and study on our own. No part of the bible is of private interpretation, so says II Peter 1:20 and our Pastors have nothing to hide. We are encouraged to go home and do like the Bereans did- “search the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”…Acts 17:11.

If you have a true hunger and thirst to know God personally or to understand the bible then these posts are for you!  But first you might want to know a few things about out church.

• About the FBCJ family.

• Our History.

• What we believe.

For now I’ll title these posts as my Sunday Morning Review and maybe add a keyword in the title that reflects what the message was about. I plan to post these on Sunday afternoons so they go out in the Monday morning email newsletter. You can subscribe here if you’d like to get it delivered to your email inbox.

Again, I know these posts won’t be of interest to all of you- they are meant for the few who really will benefit from them. I’d love to receive some feedback eventually from those of you who are getting something out of them   All future posts will be under this link: Sunday Morning Reviews.

I had a terrible headache this morning. I figured it was time to “get up”, even though it was earlier than I wanted to and yet, it was about the time I was “trying” to be up by weeks ago so I could fit in my quiet time before the boys were up. That plan had crashed and burned long ago it seemed as I slept in more and more and then a couple trips out of town seemed to be the undoing of it all.

So I got up with my killer headache, took a generic Excedrin and ate breakfast. For some reason turning on the tv didn’t seem “right”. I got my bible and sat down. I didn’t really have a plan of where to read, although I am working my way through writing out the book of Mark. Sometimes I like to look at other passages. This morning I opened my bible- but before I made any decision on where to read, my eyes caught verse 17 of Jeremiah 32, where my bible was open to…

“Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”

vs. 18-19  ” Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name. Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:”

vs. 22-23   “And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandest them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:”

vs. 27   “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?“

The context here is about Israel’s failure to obey God. The bible clearly teaches that with obedience comes blessing from God and with disobedience/rebellion comes a curse.  God’s chosen people were about to be taken captive.

Not only do I, indeed, need to be reminded that God not only blesses obedience in my life, but also will chasten me for my disobedience to Him (Deuteronomy 8:5-6 & Hebrews 12:6,7 & 11 ); but sometimes I need to be reminded that there is nothing too hard for him and that he does, indeed, have a plan for my life! (and this goes for YOU too!).

“Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:2-3

What are you trusting Him for today?

*All scripture is KJV.

*How to be Saved.

Where do I live now? Canton.

Where have I been between “too afraid to drive there” and “living there”?

• I started college in Canton when I lived in Dover. I commuted.
• Then I transferred to Liberty University in Virginia and lived on campus…for one semester.
• Campus was too costly so I got a job, got an apartment with roommates in Virginia- worked and went to school.
• I started driving from Ohio to Virginia and vice versa all. by. my. self.
• I drove to other states to visit friends .all  .by. my. self.
• When my car died, I did something drastic, for me, I guess:  I started riding the city bus *gasp*.

And I didn’t die. No one hurt me. I was. OK.  (lol!)

I still get nervous in new situations, fearful,  I don’t like stepping out of my comfort zone all the time (if ever). Being stretched hurts. Buts its good for me.  And its good for you.

Do you let fear control you or do you face your fears and do what you know you should?  As a born-again Christian I know that to let fear control me is to say to God that I do not trust Him.

Are you trusting God and stepping out in faith…

Or playing it safe by hiding behind your fear?

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]]> http://www.halloffamemoms.com/2010/10/of-fear-and-faith/feed/ 1 http://www.halloffamemoms.com/2010/10/why-marriage-fails/ http://www.halloffamemoms.com/2010/10/why-marriage-fails/#comments Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:08:15 +0000 Tracy http://www.halloffamemoms.com/?p=6255 When God created marriage, he did so with a plan. God does nothing by chance.

Marriage is a picture of the spiritual. God designated the man to be the head of his home just like God is the head of Christ and Christ is the head of the church. {Yes, Jesus Christ is the head of the true church, not- the Pope}.

Along with this responsibility comes a list of  the “how to” perform this job in such a way that is obedient and glorifying to God and satisfying to the wife and family – that is, when done properly, biblically. The wife also has responsibilities given to her by God and when everyone is obedient to God’s plan as shown in His Word, well, everyone’s needs are met.

I wanted to share this interview with Sanctus Real lead singer Matt and his wife. They talk about their struggle in marriage when Matt was not being the spiritual leader God wanted him to be. So here’s the link. Its really worth seeing. And then, you can hear the acoustic version of the song here.

Do you want to know the biblical role and plan of God for marriages? Pastor Tom has been taking our church through these issues on the roles of the husband and wife as revealed in the book of Ephesians. You can listen to the mp3′s and download study notes for free right here- after clicking that link just scroll down to the date 7/25/10 to find the beginning of the “Relationship” series.

It could save your marriage.

I’d love to have you tag along. You can subscribe here to get my new posts by email.

*I’ve also linked this post with RaisingHomemakers and WorksForMeWednesdays.