Did Jesus Sin? What's YOUR Opinion?
|
Nov 25, 2009 5:11 am
Mood: Convinced,
151 Views
|
I have to admit, I was shocked to read the results of this survey, from professed Christians. It appears to me that the Bible is no longer considered the source for all truth. What has happened to us?
Most traditional, conservative, biblically-based, evangelical Christians might be shocked to know what some, who call themselves Christians, actually believe. In a March 27, 2009, survey by the Barna Group, only 33 percent of "liberal" Christians and 55 percent of "conservative" Christians agreed with this statement: "Jesus Christ did not commit sins during His time on earth."
Those survey results raise the issue of the identity of Jesus Christ. Was He a good man empowered by God to teach, work miracles, lift up the downtrodden, and be an example for others? Or, was He the sinless Son of God without whose death for the sins of mankind, no human being would enjoy the promises of forgiveness and eternal life? The first option is a view held by many who call themselves Christians. Is this not amazing? But the second view is the biblical view. Not only does the Bible say Jesus never sinned, it says that He was proved to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). If Jesus was not the sinless Son of God, our faith is empty (1 Corinthians 15:14). Without belief and adherence to what the Bible so clearly teaches, how can there be any real confidence in anything?
"God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
2 Corinthians 5:21
"For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One Who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin."
Hebrews 4:15
The Son of God did not unite Himself with a human person, but with a human nature, that is why He can identify with our weaknesses, yet in spite of that, "WAS WITHOUT SIN"
What's YOUR opinion?
|
|
|
16
Comments
|
|
|
Have You Ever Stopped To Listen To Your Prayers?
|
Nov 24, 2009 6:16 am
Mood: Thankful!!!,
100 Views
|
Have you ever listened to yourself pray? Often, our prayers are more self-centered than we realize. Last night Alan and I came to God on our knees for the sole purpose of thanking Him for our many blessings and His goodness. We started out well, but ever so subtly, we swayed to asking Him for the things we need for our lives and the lives of our loved ones. The praise and thanksgiving was there, but so was our list of requests.
We should be continually giving thanks to God, this is NOT an option for Christians. The Bible is full of admonishments to give thanks, but why?
1.Giving thanks to God honors Him
Why is it so important that we express gratitude to God? Because He deserves the glory. When we bring hearts of thanksgiving to God, we honor Him and magnify His Name. And, we act in obedience by giving the credit and the praise to the One Who should receive it.
2.Giving thanks to God refocuses our attention
Expressing gratitude to the Lord sets our sights on Him. First thing in the morning, what happens? We begin to think on our day and all the busyness of our circumstances, but when we give thanks, we set our minds on eternal things and His goodness and love, and that prepares us for our day.
3.Giving thanks to God releases us from anxiety
We live in an age of anxiety and worry. Philippians 4:6-7 urges us not to worry, but in ALL things, bring our requests to God with thanksgiving. Giving Him thanks gives us peace about our concerns.
4.Giving thanks to God refreshes our relationship with Him
Bringing gratitude to God has a wonderful effect on our intimacy with Him. As we declare His lovingkindness and faithfulness, our spirits are rejuvenated. We feel closer to Him and He draws nearer to us and inhabits our praise.
5.Giving thanks to God reinforces our faith
When we remember all of the blessings He's given us and all the prayers He has answered, it strengthens our faith.
6.Giving thanks to God makes our spirits rejoice
Thanking God makes our hearts soar and our joy become full. It's difficult to feel depression and other negative emotions when we're appreciative of His love and mercy and compassion.
Have you counted your blessings lately? Have you stopped to consider all the things God has done for you in your life and in the world? There's no list big enough nor enough time in our day, to begin to list the infinite ways God has given of Himself for us. Give Him thanks right now, He's worthy of it and you'll feel better too!
|
|
|
8
Comments
|
|
|
I Have Everything!!!
|
Nov 23, 2009 5:19 am
Mood: Blessed!,
100 Views
|
"So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever."
Psalm 79:13
Erma Bombeck once wrote about the subject of thankfulness, saying that when she forgot to be thankful among cancer survivors, she would hear the voice of a particular eight-year-old named Christina, who had cancer of the nervous system. When Christina was asked what she wanted for her birthday, she thought for a moment and then responded by saying "I don't know. I have two sticker books and a Cabbage Patch doll. I have everything!"
Sometimes a momentary thought about someone other than ourselves is all it takes to remind us to be thankful for what we have and who we are. In the same way, when we turn our attention away from ourselves and upward, toward the Giver of all life, the many blessings He has poured out on us come rushing back and overwhelm us with thanksgiving.
If we find ourselves complaining about our situation or longing for a better life, we need to take a few moments to worship God and allow His goodness to wash over us until we are consumed with gratitude.
Today, I am caused to consider that I have everything! Forgiveness for my sins and eternity to spend with Jesus, a loving husband, family, and friends, a ministry to serve in, a job to do, a roof over my head and food to eat, what more could I ask for? I am undeservedly rich beyond measure! Thank you God, I have everything!
The optimist says, the cup is half full. The pessimist says, the cup is half empty. The child of God says, my cup runneth over!!!
|
|
|
4
Comments
|
|
|
800 Pacos
|
Nov 19, 2009 9:13 am
Mood: Forgiven,
150 Views
|
My devotional for today, just thought it worthy of sharing.
A Spanish father and son had a falling out, and the son ran away. The father set off to find him, and after months of looking to no avail, he finally put an ad in the Madrid newspaper. It read: "Dear Paco, meet in front of the newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your father." 800 Pacos showed up to the newspaper office that Saturday, all looking for love and forgiveness from their fathers.
Forgiveness is a difficult concept. Our main point of reference on the subject is how hard it is to forgive someone who has hurt us or a loved one. And because we struggle with forgiving others, we sometimes have a hard time accepting God's forgiveness. But regardless of how we view God's willingness and ability to forgive, He sees us in purity through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, rather than in the filth of our sin.
When we feel like running away from God because our sin is just too great, we have to remember that all is forgiven, He loves us, and He is waiting for us with open arms.
"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."
Isaiah 44:22 NIV
I wonder what would happen if we saw that ad in our local paper, but the name was changed to Jim or John or Billy, Debbie, Elizabeth, or Suzy, just how many would show up in front of that newspaper office on Saturday???
"Our Savior kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, He reaches out in kindness and says, "I can clean that if you want."
Max Lucado
|
|
|
4
Comments
|
|
|
He Knows You, EVERYTHING About You
|
Nov 16, 2009 5:14 am
Mood: Comforted,
192 Views
|
I was just reading in Psalms and came across this. Something in my spirit leaped in amazement and thanksgiving. Isn't it comforting to know that Someone knows us, everything about us, even our unmuttered words. He knows us better than we do, He knows our future and holds it securely in His hands. He knows every mistake and every failure, yet loves us in spite of them. What a confidence and a joy I have, that He knows me.
"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."
Psalms 139:1-18
No matter where I am, or what I do, no matter how broken my heart may be, no matter how discouraged I may feel, no matter what I am going through, thank God, He knows me and is always with me.
|
|
|
6
Comments
|
|
|
Mystery Of The Toilet Tissue
|
Nov 12, 2009 5:28 am
Mood: Amazed!,
333 Views
|
I know, I know, the title seems silly, but this is a serious post, really! lol
Yesterday, it was time to change the toilet tissue roll. I went to my vanity to search for a new roll, but could not find one. I didn't want to have to go all the way to the pantry to get some, so I searched more extensively. Lo and behold, I found a roll way in the back, that has probably been there for months. After pulling it out and replacing the empty cardboard roller, I made an amazing discovery. The old roll was at least one inch wider than the previous roll. And how is that amazing you ask? Well, I've been using the same brand of toilet tissue for years, after a plumber telling me this particular brand was best for being biodegradable.
After my amazing discovery, I went to the pantry to check on the packaging and found that there was just as many sheets per roll as there always was. And, I remember paying the same price I've been used to paying. But, in fact, I was getting less than what I bargained for, the new rolls were one inch smaller in width. In reality, I was paying just as much, for less product.
What a wonderful marketing strategy! So subtle in its manifestation, and had I not had the old roll to compare to, I may have never noticed that I was getting ripped off. (no pun intended, lol)
Of course, having an illogical mind, this incident led me to consider how subtle the strategies of our enemy, keeping us too busy, whispering lies into our thoughts for contemplation, and regularly presenting problems, stresses, and issues that keep us from what we should be doing. How skillful and tactful he can be, trying to get us off-track, using others to offend us and distract us. Perhaps today, we should all examine our toilet tissue a bit more carefully and assess whether we should take a closer look and do an honest comparison of where we are and where we should be.
What do you think?
|
|
|
11
Comments
|
|
|
Drinking Poison And Waiting To Die
|
Nov 11, 2009 5:49 am
Mood: Freely & Truly Forgiving,
337 Views
|
Most of us have heard the old addage about unforgiveness: "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping your enemy will die." In other words, resentment doesn't hurt the offender—it hurts the one who won't forgive; they are the one who is held captive by the offense. Intellectually, many times we think we have forgiven those who have hurt us, but spiritually, the offense is ever present in our thoughts, our words, and our behavior, perhaps unconsciously, but there just the same.
I learned this lesson well after being raped many years ago. In my mind, I had forgiven, but it was only a mental process and I was only deluding myself, the residual effects were still there. For 20 years following the offense, I had nightmares and fear on a regular basis. What I discovered was that I hadn't TRULY forgiven and the evidence of that was obvious in my life. After TRULY forgiving, the nightmares went away, as did the fear.
And what's happening to you all that time that you refuse to forgive? Katherine Piderman, Ph.D., staff chaplain of the Mayo Clinic, says that the following are impacted by whether we choose to forgive or not: blood pressure, stress, hostility, anger, heart rate, possible alcohol or drug abuse, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, relationships, spiritual life, and psychological life. All of these aspects of life get worse while we "wait for the other person to die," but they get better when we forgive.
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 4:32
There are literally hundreds of scriptures concerning forgiveness, most of us are familiar with them, however many forgive only intellectually. You can see the resentment in their words, the bitterness continues to rear its ugly head, and the animosity remains towards the offender. If you have truly forgiven, the pain of the offense not only subsides, but you wish your offender well, pray for them, and NOT speak ugly of them on a continuing basis.
The New Testament reinforces the following idea about forgiveness: It is basically hypocritical for Christians who have been forgiven by God not to forgive others. Indeed, we are to forgive others as often as God forgives us (Matthew 6:14-15, 18:21-22).
NOT my words, but Jesus' words. If you are waiting for someone in your life to feel the effects of your resentment, here's a better plan: Forgive them and be set free—just as God has forgiven you. If you think you have forgiven, but your thoughts and words still reflect the resentment, ask God to help you to forgive, you'll be praying according to His will and He will help you!
|
|
|
13
Comments
|
|
|
Little Round Church Signs-Everyone Should Have One!
|
Nov 9, 2009 6:37 am
Mood: Getting a round TUIT!,
293 Views
|
I came across this little tidbit and thought it was worthy of sharing. Some years ago, a church gave out little round buttons to be pinned to one's shirt. They displayed only one word: TUIT. When asked, the wearer explained, "It's a round tuit. When it comes to serving the Lord in church, I'm finally getting a round ‘tuit.'" Everyone got the point, and soon the unfilled roles and tasks in the church were fully staffed. What a neat reminder of the following scripture:
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
The next verse states: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it in the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 4:11
Too often we expect someone else to take care of the widows and orphans, minister to the brokenhearted, or sort out the benevolent closet. But joy comes as we worship and work together in the Body of Christ according to the grace God has given. We ALL have a part to do. It's time for us to get a round tuit. Jesus is glorified when we give up ourselves and defer to others. Additionally, we end up feeling better for doing it.
Are you getting a round TUIT?
|
|
|
3
Comments
|
|
|
Why I Can't Stand Certain Members Here!!!
|
Nov 8, 2009 9:06 am
Mood: Experimenting,
439 Views
|
Now that I have your attention, I have just one question to ask. Why are people ALWAYS drawn to the negative blog titles full of strife and contention? This is an experiment in human nature, to see just how many views this post will get.
It was such a wonderful Saturday! I had a few hours with nothing to do and was able to read some blogs, for the first time in a long time. Boy, was I blessed! There were some very good and edifying posts yesterday. Then, I come back today and find that all the good posts received low viewership and the negative, contentious ones got all the views. It reminds me of a car accident and how many other car accidents occur because of looky-loos, you know, the ones that strain their necks to be able to see all the gory details and end up in a wreck themselves.
Sometimes, it seems the same way here, many whose lives are in a wreck continue to feed upon all the junk that keeps that ball rollin, then wonder why it is they have no peace. I understand that this is predominantly a dating website, but we have some really talented, knowledgeable people here, offering words of wisdom and instruction, for our edification and encouragement, and most would rather fill their spirits up with all the dirt.
Donny (Its all changing) wrote an excellent blog yesterday, Have you ever felt the love God has for His Creation? and Richard's (Caring in Action) was very thought-provoking Reality Can Be Too Painful. Gismo2 made a very good post Does God Accept Negotiations in Prayer? and so did funlikeable 100 posts Anniversary. tell me your favorite chapter.. Marianna (philopatir) wrote two that were excellent reminders Christian life-2 and snowglimmer posted a wonderful prayer. [post 158763] These are but a few of the edifying blogs we can find here on any given day, yet these all had less than 50 views while other more attention-grabbing posts received over 250 views. How sad!
If your life's a wreck, your soul is dying, and your spirit is weak, fill yourself up on the food that will nurture and feed you good things. Even if your spirit is strong and you're peaceful and contented, why not feed upon the good fruit that's available to bless you? And commend those who make an effort to be a blessing. Just a thought that I had today for your consideration.
|
|
|
18
Comments
|
|
|
I Am Truly Blessed By Each Of You Here At BC, Yes, Even You!!!
|
Nov 7, 2009 8:03 am
Mood: Thankful for YOU!,
422 Views
|
My wonderful BigChurch family,
Thank you for all of your prayers and warm wishes, thank you for reading the things I write, day in and day out, thank you for offering me encouragement, love, and laughter for the last 2 1/2 years. These things are seeds that you have sown into my life, making you my extended family. Although some would disagree, I consider you to be family if you have made Jesus the Lord of your life and believe and practice the same Bible I do. And just like any family, there's always some disfunction, lol. Just like any family, there's bound to be squabbles, do you know any families that don't?
Regardless of the fighting, regardless of the differing opinions and interpretations, regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey, I love you all! You have blessed and influenced my life in many ways. There are so many different parts here in this place. Some feel called to rebuke and chastise, some are called to teach and advance the Word, some are called to edify and encourage, some feel led to intercede, and others are called to lead and guide. Regardless of your part, we are all one body, brothers and sisters in Jesus, and called for a purpose.
So, irrespective of your particular calling, I just wanted to tell you that I love you today and I pray for you often, sometimes generally and sometimes specifically, sometimes by name and sometimes by group. God put each of you across my path for a purpose, my extended family, and it's my goal and ambition to be a blessing to you all, in some way. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your lives. May God bless you with the desires of your hearts and His perfect Will in your life, in Jesus Name, Amen!
|
|
|
16
Comments
|
|
To link to this blog (racefan4) use [blog racefan4] in your messages.
|
|
|
| Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
1
|
21
|
3
|
41
|
51
|
61
|
71
|
|
81
|
91
|
10
|
111
|
121
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
161
|
17
|
18
|
191
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
231
|
241
|
251
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
