Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts

the LAMP GOSPELS

Originally the title of our blog was "the gospel of Matthew according to LAMP"; however, it has been changed to the "LAMP GOSPELS".

Reading more about relativism it occurred to me that:

"the gospels cannot be in accordance to us; instead it must be us whom are to be in accordance with the gospels". 

Furthermore, as partners with the gospels, the result simply becomes:

Lee Strobel has written a book called "the Case for the Real Jesus". In his book, he interviews Paul Copan, PH.D in the chapter titled, "People should be free to pick and choose what to believe about Jesus".

Strobel's discussion touches on the 2005 CBS survey, observation, that 8 out of 10 individuals shop for faith and custom tailor, God, Jesus, or whatever religion their path leads them on, to fit their personal preferences. 


In the realm of ideas; relativism plays a large role. When it comes to ideas between one another, we have the free will to form our own individual opinions. A commercial world has evolved into a do-it-yourself, customized, bundle, packaged, integrated services, feature and benefits consumption society. Couple that with values, attitudes, beliefs, and behavior absolutely follows accordingly. So it is no surprise that many take the same approach to their pursuit of faith, religion, spirituality, atheism, or otherwise.

One must be in accordance with God our heavenly father through Jesus Christ, who was crucified, and died for our sins then, now, and for all eternity.
 There is no other alternative. 

Relativism is certainly important within it's own applications. In terms of viewpoints, perspectives, philosophies and otherwise. However, relativism is always changing, adapting, evolving, never ending.

Relativism according to Sir Karl Popper, whom I consider an authority on the matter, as discussed in "of Clocks and Clouds" he proposed:
We as beings are problem solvers, and intellectually always evolving. Sir Popper's scheme is as follows:

1. Problem or situation is identified. "It is hot outside."
2. A temporary solution is determined. "Wear light and cool clothing."
3. Errors and Omissions. "I forgot to consider how bright it is out here. The glare is heavy."
4. New Problem. "I need to find something so I can see better."

Feedback loop ongoing.
Relativism is inconclusive; however, God is truth, and that is conclusive. Relativism cannot be applied to God. We were made by God and certainly given free will, however, we are not entitled to custom tailor God. Who are we, to ascertain who or what God should be and dictate the terms of the relationship.

God is beyond our comprehension, and we are a speck in His world, that He created. Yet in spite of our disrespect, ultimate selfishness, et all, God loves each of us, again, beyond our own comprehension.

You can argue all day long about the theory of evolution etc., Darwin, Descartes "I think, therefore, I am"....

So what, there where giraffes with short necks, and they evolved to have longer necks.

Budweiser had canned beer, and evolved to the "long neck" bottle. When you where born you had to walk, before running...at least such was the case for most of us. If you ran first..that is another topic...

All these examples are adaptive and changing, God does not change, God is constant, God is truth.

Therefore we conclude that this will not be Matthew in accordance to LAMP, instead this will be the LAMP in accordance with the gospels, or simply the LAMP GOSPELS

Furthermore, this is presenting the Descartes philosophers/followers with yet another problem to solve, and another loop on their never ending road of relativism.

as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, said, "I AM WHO I AM".

[when, where, and how] a relationship with Christ flows...

What we long for is......to become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Christ

These words come from Paul's writings in Philippians 3:10

Read the following slowly.

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him- that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving, and recognizing, and understanding [the wonders of His Person] more strongly and more clearly. And that I may in that same way come to know the power out flowing from His Resurrection [the power it exerts over believers]; and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death.

This single sentence represents the apostle's great goal for life.

Go back and re-read this more slowly. Preferably aloud, chew on them, get alone, and ponder them.

This begins my manifest as to [when, where, and how] a relationship with Christ flows. 


that I may know Him...

progressively become more deeply

and intimately acquainted with Him,

perceiving...

recognizing...


understanding... 

continually transformed... 

your brother in Christ, 

Matt

Mac Richard, at Lake Hills Church in Austin, Texas speaks on making room for what really matters. We found the message that much more interesting when he touched on Matthew Six and the Sermon on the Mount. At least we know we are on the right track.




SUCCESS, HOW AND THE COSTS

This post is one that reads well, yet sounds easier than it looks.

Success. A term measured in numerous ways.  After more than 25 years of learning my own craft, I will admit that this is not the first time I have encountered words of similar wisdom. The initial thought is to implement the words of wisdom, and not three days have passed and the new urgency of the moment has me knee deep in alligators. Thereafter the entire "success factors secret sauce" is diluted daily with the new fire of the day.

one model we like:




Sure you say to yourself, "not me, I am organized, a planner, strategic." That may be so. Whatever, you believe is your edge, more power to you, you are gonna need it. What I have found is even the best laid plan is and will be subject to disaster and chaos. Why, because chaos is the rule rather than the exception.



A plan, method, process, is always subject to refinement, and modification. The plan and method forms the routine and structure that built with consistency, fortitude and together with the right people and God as a partner, increases the likelihood of success in the face of the greatest of storms.




I once heard a pastor say, "Love God with all your heart and soul and you can do anything you want." Realize that, this means accountability, and responsibility to God as well too. No plan together with God can fail.

Nevertheless, whenever we get up and go, the enemy howls the wind, the waves white cap, and the environment becomes chaos. Chaos, at least until you sit back down, where the enemy, smiles and says, "now that's better".

Instead, you are encouraged, to step out of the boat as Peter did, and inside the chaos look to Christ and with Faith, walk on water. The storm will end that is for certain, the question is what will be the end result?

Here to follow is the snap shot of the information forwarded to me from a guest who is an avid Rick Warren reader. Rick certainly walks the talk, and whatever he is doing is working.

My prayers to all whom put this into action. Send us a message if there is anything you would like to share and we will deliver it up in future logs.

Step #1 - Determine your present position
Step #2 - Be specific about what you want
Step #3 - Look for God's promise
Step #4 -- Ask God to help you
Step #5 -- Identify the barriers
Step #6 -- Create a step-by-step plan
Step # 7 -- Be patient and persistent
Step # 8 -- Enlist a team for support
Step # 9 -- You must pay the price

For more details read more



Encouragement for Your Future

Hello, you-
the one with that dream in your heart,
that idea on your mind,
that desire that just won't go away.
You wonder...can I do this?
You can do all things. (Philippians. 4:13)
You ask...do I have what it takes?
You've got all you need. (2 Peter 1:3)
You question...is who I am okay?
You're more than okay, you're His. (Psalm 139:14)
So go for it.
Dare to make that difference, take that step, follow that dream. God will go with you, and love will see you through.
For more hope and encouragement visit Heart to Heart with Holley
. And to receive free devotionals from Holley, just Subscribe by e-mail.

FINDING PEACE


YOU WILL NOT FIND MY PEACE by engaging in excessive planning attempting to control what will happen to you in the future. That is a commonly practiced form of UNBELIEF.  When your mind spins with multiple plans, PEACE may sometimes seem to be within your grasp; yet it always eludes you. Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion.

I did not design the human mind to figure out the future. That is beyond your capability. I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me. Bring Me all your needs, your hopes and fears. Commit everything into My care. Turn from the path of planning to the path of Peace.

                         1Peter 5:6-11         Proverbs 16:9        Psalm 37:5,7

This was a reader's devotion this morning.....and if you are living from one day to the next, this message from our Lord brings such comfort and hope to us.  Unconditional love from our Lord...promises that we can believe in and trust with complete unlimited Peace....if we follow His direction to the path of peace....releasing all of our unbelief...taking it back from the enemy of lies...We don't know what the future holds but, we do know WHO holds the future...and it is far better than we could ever imagine.........This is not our home

WE ARE BEING TRAPPED

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Good morning, brothers and sisters;
it's always a delight to see
the pews crowded on Sunday
morning and so eager to get into
God's Word. Turn with me
in your Bibles, if you will, to the 47th
chapter of Genesis, we'll
begin our reading at verse 13 and go through verse 27.

Genesis
47:13-27

Brother Ray, would you stand and read that great passage for us?
....(reading)....

Thank you for that fine reading, Brother Ray... So we see that economic hard times fell upon

Egypt and the people turned to the government of Pharaoh to deal with this for them.

And Pharaoh nationalized the grain harvest and placed the grain in great storehouses that he had

built. So the people brought their money to Pharaoh, like a great tax increase, and gave it all

to him willingly in return for grain. And this went on until their money ran out and they were

hungry again.

So when they went to Pharaoh after that, they brought their
livestock- their cattle, their horses, their sheep, and their donkey -
to barter for grain and verse 17 says that only took them through
the end of that year..

But the famine wasn't over was it? So the next year the people
came before Pharaoh and admitted they had nothing left except
their land and their own lives. "There is nothing left in the sight
of my lord but our bodies and our land. Why should we die before
your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food and we with our land will be

servants to Pharaoh.." So they surrendered their homes, their land, and their real estate to

Pharaoh's government and then sold themselves into slavery to him, in return for grain.

What can we learn from this, brothers and sisters?

That turning to the government instead of to God to be our provider
in hard times only leads to slavery?.. Yes, That the only reason
government wants to be our provider is to also become our master?

Yes.

But look how that passage ends, brothers and sisters! Thus Israel
settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen.. And they gained possessions in it and

were fruitful and multiplied greatly." GOD
provided for His people, just as He always has! They didn't end up
giving all their possessions to government, no, it says they gained
possessions! But I also tell you a great truth today and an ominous one.

We see the same thing happening today,the government today wants to "share the wealth" once

again, to take it from us and redistribute it back to us It wants to take control of healthcare,

just as it has taken control of education, and ration it back to us, and when government rations

it, then government decides who gets it, and how much, and what kind. And if we go along with it,

and do it willingly, then we will wind up no differently
than the people of Egypt did four thousand years ago -as slaves to the government and as

slaves to our leaders.

What Mr. Obama's government is doing now is no different from what
Pharaoh's government did then and it will end the same. And a lot of people like to call Mr.

Obama a "Messiah," don't they? Is he a Messiah? A savior? Didn't the Egyptians say, after Pharaoh

made them his slaves,"You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be servants to

Pharaoh"?

Well, I tell you this - I know the Messiah; the Messiah is a friend of mine; and Mr. Obama is

no Messiah!
No, brothers and sisters, if Mr. Obama is a character
from the Bible, then he is Pharaoh.
Bow with me in prayer, if you will...

Lord, You alone are worthy to be
served, and we rely on You, and You alone. We confess that the
government is not our deliverer and never rightly will be. We read in the eighth chapter of 1

Samuel, when Samuel warned the people of what a ruler would do, where it says "And in that day

you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but
the LORD will not answer you in that day."

And Lord, we acknowledge that day has come. We cry
out to you because of the ruler that we have chosen for ourselves as
a nation.

Lord, we pray for this nation. We pray for revival and we pray
for deliverance from those who would be our masters. Give us hearts to
seek You and hands to serve You and protect Your people
from the atrocities of Pharaoh's government.

Delivered by a Pastor of a predominantly black church in
Virginia

How much has changed in 4,000 years?

who is our real leader ....

In God We Trust...

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The Remnant of Israel

Brothers and Sisters,

Romans chapter 11 makes three enormous promises concerning the Messianic remnant of Israel. This seemingly insignificant group of people in the eyes of the world will actually be the key to:

Restoration in the Church
Revival in Israel
Resurrection of the Dead

For more on this, please submit your request by commenting on this article.

Nevertheless, the thought that came to mind today through the Holy Spirit was the following:

my opinion is that nation states and national boundaries are disappearing in some form and fashion. protectionism, travel and living restrictions, immigration control, may impact this, However, my question is?

Is ISRAEL in the future and in terms of bible prophecy a specific geographic location OR is it in terms of the people regardless of geographic location? If geographic location is removed from the conclusion, then prophecy that ISRAEL will never be destroyed becomes even more viable.

It is disheartening that where i once saw worlds with no border's, all it takes is the fear of economic hardship and men become afraid. the result: laws are forged to gather power, protectionism emerges.

I say to you brothers and sisters, no law made by man shall over ride FAITH in Christ. For it is the law made by men to gain more power and take away the people's freedom. FAITH in Christ contains nothing of this and breaks no moral or ethical law. therefore FAITH in Christ, as it is written in the Bible, is above the law of man, the result; ultimate freedom.