God is working out His purpose of glorifying His name in this world and life by saving His people, causing them to turn to Him by giving them a new heart and spirit, and causing them to walk in His ways. Because it is God's work, He gets the glory.
It is amazing how God can combine so many things into one "package". While He is working all things to His glory, He is also saving His people revealing His grace.
Oh to know God more, which is eternal life...are you alive?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
What God is doing
Looking to God we see One who has all things in His hands. He has created all things, He sustains all things, and one day, He will culminate His redemption plan with the destruction of this world and the ushering in of a new heavens and earth where in dwells righteousness. No sin.
God's ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts. Oh, may the God who is doing, do in our heart to fully make our ways and thought His ways and thoughts.
At Christ's return and in heaven, this process will be completed, so that we shall be with Him in perfect harmony and fellowship.
What God is doing is marvelous.
God's ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts. Oh, may the God who is doing, do in our heart to fully make our ways and thought His ways and thoughts.
At Christ's return and in heaven, this process will be completed, so that we shall be with Him in perfect harmony and fellowship.
What God is doing is marvelous.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Camp 2008
Our camp was quite a blessing. The Lord used His Word to the edification of the saints as well as the preaching & conversations to the adding to the saints. During camp and directly after there were at least three young people who professed salvation by the Lord.
Our God is the God who delights in mercy. He gives mercy as He wills, which results in the salvation of sinners.
Our God is the God who delights in mercy. He gives mercy as He wills, which results in the salvation of sinners.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Fair Christianity
Recently many from the Church went to the fair. We had a "booth" set up where we handed out books and had a video running on biblical evangelism.
There were some good conversations mentioned among those who went. May the Lord be pleased to use those conversations to the salvation of souls.
There were some good conversations mentioned among those who went. May the Lord be pleased to use those conversations to the salvation of souls.
Monday, July 21, 2008
More fruit of Gospel presentation
Another couple dropped in who had been visited with the gospel recently. The Lord is giving us incentive to get out and search for the lost with the Gospel of His glorious Son. Also, a couple of elderly ladies want us to start visiting them and talking to them about the Gospel. May the Lord be glorified.
Mike and I went out again, and there was a man whom we have encountered a few times now, Stephen, who spent much time with us asking questions, and even wanting to walk with us as we went about the business of spreading the Good News.
There were a couple who really did not want to hear about Jesus Christ, and started swearing. They admit that they are wickans and so it is to be expected that those who knowingly have committed themselves to the wicked, to be cursing the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is fruit also. Jesus said rejoice when they persecute you for His sake. May the Lord give us a heart to rejoice in these things. The first reaction is usually not rejoicing, but sadness that they have rejected the only means by which they might be saved from their sin. However, regardless, the message was given, and God will be glorified regardless of how we perceive things.
Mike and I went out again, and there was a man whom we have encountered a few times now, Stephen, who spent much time with us asking questions, and even wanting to walk with us as we went about the business of spreading the Good News.
There were a couple who really did not want to hear about Jesus Christ, and started swearing. They admit that they are wickans and so it is to be expected that those who knowingly have committed themselves to the wicked, to be cursing the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is fruit also. Jesus said rejoice when they persecute you for His sake. May the Lord give us a heart to rejoice in these things. The first reaction is usually not rejoicing, but sadness that they have rejected the only means by which they might be saved from their sin. However, regardless, the message was given, and God will be glorified regardless of how we perceive things.
Monday, July 14, 2008
A good book in my library
I have been reading "9 Marks of a healthy Church" by Mark Dever. I don't think any Churches in Rhinelander measure up to all the marks. My hope is that Lord would cause us to grow in the areas where we are currently lacking and become a healthy Church. We do not have that far to go, and the Lord is able.
The 1st Mark is expository preaching. The 2nd is Biblical Theology. The 3rd is the Gospel and the 4th is a proper view of conversion. The next mark is a Biblical understanding of evangelism.
The gospel & a proper view of conversion come from a proper Biblical Theology. Most Churches in Rhinelander do not have a proper Biblical Theology. God is the Creating, Holy, Faithful, Loving & Sovereign God. Most Churches fall short in one or more of these areas, especially the last one. They may use the term, but they usually mean something different by it.
The Church is made up of Christians. It is not the building but the people. These 9 Marks then are what identify a true Christian. Obviously the 1st Mark has to do with the preacher, but the others so far have to do with the beliefs of the Church, which means the beliefs of the members.
The point then is that a Christian should be working on these marks, if they are to be a healthy Christian. Do you listen to expository preaching? Do you have a biblical theology? Do you know the gospel? Do you have a biblical understanding of conversion and evangelism?
Are you a healthy Christian?
The 1st Mark is expository preaching. The 2nd is Biblical Theology. The 3rd is the Gospel and the 4th is a proper view of conversion. The next mark is a Biblical understanding of evangelism.
The gospel & a proper view of conversion come from a proper Biblical Theology. Most Churches in Rhinelander do not have a proper Biblical Theology. God is the Creating, Holy, Faithful, Loving & Sovereign God. Most Churches fall short in one or more of these areas, especially the last one. They may use the term, but they usually mean something different by it.
The Church is made up of Christians. It is not the building but the people. These 9 Marks then are what identify a true Christian. Obviously the 1st Mark has to do with the preacher, but the others so far have to do with the beliefs of the Church, which means the beliefs of the members.
The point then is that a Christian should be working on these marks, if they are to be a healthy Christian. Do you listen to expository preaching? Do you have a biblical theology? Do you know the gospel? Do you have a biblical understanding of conversion and evangelism?
Are you a healthy Christian?
Lots of different opinions, only one has TRUE HOPE
Talking to folks on the streets of Rhinelander about their souls the answer most often given to the question "Will you go to heaven when you die" is "I hope so." It is like people have no concern for their soul, and are going to take a gamble that their eternity is going to work out fine. It seems much like a lottery then. If I win I win, if I don't I don't and there is nothing I really can do about it.
This is the spiritual malaise that exists in the nation as a whole. "There are so many religions, how can I know which one is right?" This question is the basis for the hopelessness. As Christians we need to witness to the only way that does give hope, the only truth that exists, and the only "religion" that offers proof that it is the right way.
I say "religion" because it is about a relationship, with God through the person of Jesus Christ. Religion is so often about what you can & cannot do, and Christianity contains those, but their basis rests in the relationship with Jesus Christ. When that is held in high esteem, then the do's & don'ts fall into place (they are a result of the relationship). Religion puts the do's & don'ts first. Christianity puts Jesus Christ first.
Back to the issue of dealing with hopelessness: this nation needs Christians to witness more regularly, more boldly, more vocally to the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only One who has not remained in the grave (Joseph Smith, Ellen G. Whyte, Mohammed, Budha, Confusios, etc...all remain dead in the grave.) Over 500 witnessed a resurrected Jesus. A harvard law professor has stated the Gospel's would be admissable in court. The witness to Christianity & its hope exists. There is much more that could be said!
This is the spiritual malaise that exists in the nation as a whole. "There are so many religions, how can I know which one is right?" This question is the basis for the hopelessness. As Christians we need to witness to the only way that does give hope, the only truth that exists, and the only "religion" that offers proof that it is the right way.
I say "religion" because it is about a relationship, with God through the person of Jesus Christ. Religion is so often about what you can & cannot do, and Christianity contains those, but their basis rests in the relationship with Jesus Christ. When that is held in high esteem, then the do's & don'ts fall into place (they are a result of the relationship). Religion puts the do's & don'ts first. Christianity puts Jesus Christ first.
Back to the issue of dealing with hopelessness: this nation needs Christians to witness more regularly, more boldly, more vocally to the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only One who has not remained in the grave (Joseph Smith, Ellen G. Whyte, Mohammed, Budha, Confusios, etc...all remain dead in the grave.) Over 500 witnessed a resurrected Jesus. A harvard law professor has stated the Gospel's would be admissable in court. The witness to Christianity & its hope exists. There is much more that could be said!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Fruit from recent efforts & other all things
A couple came on Sunday whom Ken & David had spoken to in the mobile home park. This stirs the hearts toward getting out more.
After going out with Justin and another young man, the other young man spent a couple of hours talking to me about his concern of some of NBC's beliefs. Fortunately the Lord gave me the answer in His Word to all of his questions. Hopefully this will result in belief of God's Word for this young man.
My glasses broke on Tuesday, so I took them along with my broken spare glasses to Express Eyeware at Triggs Mall and they repaired both for free. Another case of something that looks bad turning out to good.
After going out with Justin and another young man, the other young man spent a couple of hours talking to me about his concern of some of NBC's beliefs. Fortunately the Lord gave me the answer in His Word to all of his questions. Hopefully this will result in belief of God's Word for this young man.
My glasses broke on Tuesday, so I took them along with my broken spare glasses to Express Eyeware at Triggs Mall and they repaired both for free. Another case of something that looks bad turning out to good.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Lord is working all things together for the good of His people always. Romans 8:28 Due to our limitations we do not always see it.
This Wednesday (June 25) the Lord revealed His working. It was getting very hot, 77F, when I checked at 1p.m. and so I decided to go home to install the window air conditioner so my family would not be too hot. When I went into the basement I found a puddle and found out that the pipe going out to the sewer was blocked. It wasn't there a couple of days before when I went down into the basement, so this was recent. Mr. Rooter came and got things unblocked.
Thanks to the Lord for increasing the temperature, which led me to go home to find the mess earlier. If it had of been a couple of days later, the mess would have been bigger and the damage greater.
This Wednesday (June 25) the Lord revealed His working. It was getting very hot, 77F, when I checked at 1p.m. and so I decided to go home to install the window air conditioner so my family would not be too hot. When I went into the basement I found a puddle and found out that the pipe going out to the sewer was blocked. It wasn't there a couple of days before when I went down into the basement, so this was recent. Mr. Rooter came and got things unblocked.
Thanks to the Lord for increasing the temperature, which led me to go home to find the mess earlier. If it had of been a couple of days later, the mess would have been bigger and the damage greater.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Last week's fun
Ken & David went out on Saturday June 14th, going through one of the mobile home parks in Rhinelander, knocking on doors and spreading the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tuesday June 17th, Mike and I went out talking to folks in downtown Rhinelander. We had a couple of good discussions, and also a couple of discussions where people wanted to talk about religion in general. Those folks just want you to talk and talk and talk and talk....and they do not want the conversation to be concentrated on salvation through Jesus Christ but on many other things. They are like talkative in Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.
When you encounter someone like that, don't let them manipulate the conversation by steering you away from Christ. The best thing to do is to keep getting the conversation back to Jesus Christ and their need for Him.
Tuesday June 17th, Mike and I went out talking to folks in downtown Rhinelander. We had a couple of good discussions, and also a couple of discussions where people wanted to talk about religion in general. Those folks just want you to talk and talk and talk and talk....and they do not want the conversation to be concentrated on salvation through Jesus Christ but on many other things. They are like talkative in Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.
When you encounter someone like that, don't let them manipulate the conversation by steering you away from Christ. The best thing to do is to keep getting the conversation back to Jesus Christ and their need for Him.
Time for reaching out with the gospel
Jesus Christ deserves to be made famous in Rhinelander. (Spelling is Canadian. ) Although we have lived in the USA for almost 5 years, my spelling has not changed.
The weather is no longer a hindrance. Health is no longer a hindrance. There are even some young folks interested in getting out and sowing the seeds of God's amazing grace. This gets me excited. When God's word is spoken, no matter where, I get excited.
The weather is no longer a hindrance. Health is no longer a hindrance. There are even some young folks interested in getting out and sowing the seeds of God's amazing grace. This gets me excited. When God's word is spoken, no matter where, I get excited.
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