Zephaniah is noted for having one of the most graphic portrayals of the Day of the Lord in the Bible. Such a passage is Zephaniah, Chapter One.
But we must not stop there – continue reading the Book of Zephaniah for it is within the pages of this small but powerful book the author has called us to an anguished confession of sin and humble devotion to God so that we may escape the horrible Day of the Lord coming on this world:
"...before the decree is issued, before the day passes like chaff, before the LORD's fierce anger comes upon you! Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the Day of the LORD's anger." Zephaniah 2:2-3
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Andy and Berit Kjos remind us ~
In times like this, we need a Shepherd! We don't know all the hazards ahead, but He does! We can't escape this corrupt world system, but He is our refuge in its midst! And He will surely lead His flock to peace and safety -- no matter how fierce the storms ahead!
"The Lord is my Shepherd! He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul."
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER! Psalm 23
In "the sermon on the mount" -- one of the Bible's best loved messages -- Jesus compares two kinds of foundations: unyielding rock versus shifting sand. The first leads to unshakable peace and certainty, the other leads to disillusionment and destruction.
As the storms around us grow increasingly fierce, our foundations will surely be tested. But those who follow the Shepherd and stand on His Word will be safe with Him -- both now and forever!
In times like this, we need a Shepherd! We don't know all the hazards ahead, but He does! We can't escape this corrupt world system, but He is our refuge in its midst! And He will surely lead His flock to peace and safety -- no matter how fierce the storms ahead!
"The Lord is my Shepherd! He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul."
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord FOREVER! Psalm 23
In "the sermon on the mount" -- one of the Bible's best loved messages -- Jesus compares two kinds of foundations: unyielding rock versus shifting sand. The first leads to unshakable peace and certainty, the other leads to disillusionment and destruction.
As the storms around us grow increasingly fierce, our foundations will surely be tested. But those who follow the Shepherd and stand on His Word will be safe with Him -- both now and forever!
Monday, October 12, 2009
"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."
Tertullian, 1st century AD
My journey through the Holocaust museum began in the section dedicated to Nazi propaganda.
Pausing by each display, I was startled by words that could so easily describe America today. The quotes brought stark reminders that, apart from God, human nature doesn't change with time. Nor do the aims of the spiritual mastermind behind the scenes who has always sought ways to stir hatred toward God's people.
"Individuals were urged to sacrifice themselves for a greater 'People's Community,'" announced one of the displays. Such slogans must have sounded good to the masses, few saw the cruel manipulation behind the noble words. Similar words can be heard today - calls for sacrifice, service, unity, common values, common good, civil society, and global governance.
How many people today see the ominous new meanings behind these nice sounding words?
Another display stated that- "elementary schools became forums of public indoctrination.
The Gestapo gathered much of its information from private citizens. Even children were taught to report on their parents. The Gestapo's main sources, however, were Nazi party officials. who constantly monitored the activities of all citizens [and] used such information to track political opponents."
America's leaders are using intrusive surveys, assessments and classroom encounter groups to persuade children to divulge private information about their family's faith, values, disciplines, and church attendance. As in Nazi Germany, socialization, not academic learning, has become the primary goal of education. Children are learning the group thinking and socialist values needed for the envisioned 21st century communities and global workforce.
A new set of global values, based on a blend of earth-centered beliefs, deviant lifestyles, socialist ideology, and globalist goals, rule out biblical boundaries and absolutes.
Genuine Christianity simply won't fit this new global agenda.
Our political, legal and education systems have been infiltrated by leaders who have betrayed America for a hollow vision of a global village. Hollywood has taught our children to delight in evil, children's books support the occult while schools immerse them in pagan rituals to other gods. Many church leaders are ashamed to mention sin and the cross, and most "Christians" are tolerating the trends, too distracted to know or to care.
God told us repeatedly what would happen to a nation that refuses to follow The Shepherd.
"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget... Otherwise... your heart will become proud.... You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' ... If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods... you will surely be destroyed." Deuteronomy 8:10-20
"the whole world is under the control of the evil one" [1 John 5:19].
Satan's subjects have always despised our King, twisted His truth, and hated His people. Why should we not expect opposition?
Jesus described the normal Christian life this way:
"If they persecute Me, they will also persecute you," He told His disciples, "for they do not know Him who sent me." John 15:20-21
We need to take His warning to heart, count the cost of discipleship, remember faith without works is dead, and pray to be prepared for the battles which are about to come.
1. Pray for His guidance.
2. Learn from those who suffered persecution because of their faith.
3. Memorize His Word, use the victorious "Sword of the Spirit" in every battle you face.
4. Memorize hymns and songs that enable you to keep praising Him and affirming His victory.
5. Silently practice singing to Him in the midst of all kinds of distractions.
6. Practice giving thanks in all circumstances.
"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged." Hebrew 12:1-3
And let us always remember: "
Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:22-23
Tertullian, 1st century AD
My journey through the Holocaust museum began in the section dedicated to Nazi propaganda.
Pausing by each display, I was startled by words that could so easily describe America today. The quotes brought stark reminders that, apart from God, human nature doesn't change with time. Nor do the aims of the spiritual mastermind behind the scenes who has always sought ways to stir hatred toward God's people.
"Individuals were urged to sacrifice themselves for a greater 'People's Community,'" announced one of the displays. Such slogans must have sounded good to the masses, few saw the cruel manipulation behind the noble words. Similar words can be heard today - calls for sacrifice, service, unity, common values, common good, civil society, and global governance.
How many people today see the ominous new meanings behind these nice sounding words?
Another display stated that- "elementary schools became forums of public indoctrination.
The Gestapo gathered much of its information from private citizens. Even children were taught to report on their parents. The Gestapo's main sources, however, were Nazi party officials. who constantly monitored the activities of all citizens [and] used such information to track political opponents."
America's leaders are using intrusive surveys, assessments and classroom encounter groups to persuade children to divulge private information about their family's faith, values, disciplines, and church attendance. As in Nazi Germany, socialization, not academic learning, has become the primary goal of education. Children are learning the group thinking and socialist values needed for the envisioned 21st century communities and global workforce.
A new set of global values, based on a blend of earth-centered beliefs, deviant lifestyles, socialist ideology, and globalist goals, rule out biblical boundaries and absolutes.
Genuine Christianity simply won't fit this new global agenda.
Our political, legal and education systems have been infiltrated by leaders who have betrayed America for a hollow vision of a global village. Hollywood has taught our children to delight in evil, children's books support the occult while schools immerse them in pagan rituals to other gods. Many church leaders are ashamed to mention sin and the cross, and most "Christians" are tolerating the trends, too distracted to know or to care.
God told us repeatedly what would happen to a nation that refuses to follow The Shepherd.
"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget... Otherwise... your heart will become proud.... You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' ... If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods... you will surely be destroyed." Deuteronomy 8:10-20
"the whole world is under the control of the evil one" [1 John 5:19].
Satan's subjects have always despised our King, twisted His truth, and hated His people. Why should we not expect opposition?
Jesus described the normal Christian life this way:
"If they persecute Me, they will also persecute you," He told His disciples, "for they do not know Him who sent me." John 15:20-21
We need to take His warning to heart, count the cost of discipleship, remember faith without works is dead, and pray to be prepared for the battles which are about to come.
1. Pray for His guidance.
2. Learn from those who suffered persecution because of their faith.
3. Memorize His Word, use the victorious "Sword of the Spirit" in every battle you face.
4. Memorize hymns and songs that enable you to keep praising Him and affirming His victory.
5. Silently practice singing to Him in the midst of all kinds of distractions.
6. Practice giving thanks in all circumstances.
"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged." Hebrew 12:1-3
And let us always remember: "
Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:22-23
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
If you've been told that you can have Christ as Savior without having Him as Lord; if you've been told that salvation is as easy as ABC; if you were assured that a momentary decision would save your soul, you've been taught "Easy-Believism."
If you think that such believing will save you, you are deceived! Samuel Waldron
What Then?
By J. Whitfield Green (John 3:16; Malachi 4:1)
When the great plants of our cities
Have turned out their last finished work;
When our merchants have sold their last yard of silk
And dismissed the last tired clerk;
When our banks have raked in their last dollar
And paid the last dividend;
When the Judge of the earth says, "Close for the night,"
And asks for a balance-
WHAT THEN?
When the choir has sung its last anthem,
And the preacher has made his last prayer;
When the people have heard their last sermon,
And the sound has died out on the air;
When the Bible lies closed on the altar,
And the pews are all empty of men;
And each one stands facing his record,
And the great Book is opened-
WHAT THEN?
When the actors have played their last drama,
And the mimic has made his last fun;
When the film has flashed its last picture,
And the billboard displayed its last run;
When the crowds seeking pleasure have vanished
And gone out in the darkness again;
When the trumpet of ages is sounded,
And we stand up before Him-
WHAT THEN?
When the bugle's call sinks into silence,
And the long marching columns stand still;
When the captain repeats his last orders,
And they've captured the last fort and hill;
And the flag has been hauled from the masthead,
And the wounded afield checked in;
And a world that rejected its Savior,
Is asked for a reason- WHAT THEN?
If you think that such believing will save you, you are deceived! Samuel Waldron
What Then?
By J. Whitfield Green (John 3:16; Malachi 4:1)
When the great plants of our cities
Have turned out their last finished work;
When our merchants have sold their last yard of silk
And dismissed the last tired clerk;
When our banks have raked in their last dollar
And paid the last dividend;
When the Judge of the earth says, "Close for the night,"
And asks for a balance-
WHAT THEN?
When the choir has sung its last anthem,
And the preacher has made his last prayer;
When the people have heard their last sermon,
And the sound has died out on the air;
When the Bible lies closed on the altar,
And the pews are all empty of men;
And each one stands facing his record,
And the great Book is opened-
WHAT THEN?
When the actors have played their last drama,
And the mimic has made his last fun;
When the film has flashed its last picture,
And the billboard displayed its last run;
When the crowds seeking pleasure have vanished
And gone out in the darkness again;
When the trumpet of ages is sounded,
And we stand up before Him-
WHAT THEN?
When the bugle's call sinks into silence,
And the long marching columns stand still;
When the captain repeats his last orders,
And they've captured the last fort and hill;
And the flag has been hauled from the masthead,
And the wounded afield checked in;
And a world that rejected its Savior,
Is asked for a reason- WHAT THEN?
Friday, October 2, 2009
False Grace
by: David Servant
In the minds of so many professing Christians, Jesus is Savior but not Lord. a friendly neighbor but not Creator of the Universe. He possesses all love but not all authority. He is our best buddy but not our King of kings and Lord of lords. A jolly good fellow, but not the One before whom every knee shall bow. He is good, but He is not God.
In reality, however, such a Jesus does not exist, and those who are convinced otherwise are the worst kind of idolaters; they have invented a god of their own imagination.
The apostle James repeatedly warned against being deluded by a faith that is void of the works of obedience:
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves....If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless....What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? James 1:22, 26; 2:14
James could not make his point more clear. Faith without works cannot save us. What we believe is revealed by our words and deeds. Moreover, it is possible to deceive our own hearts in this matter and possess a worthless religion.
James continues:
But someone may well say, 'You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?....You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone....For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:18-20, 24, 26
James points out that even demons possess some degree of faith, and their faith is manifested by actions: they shudder in fear. Yet how many professing believers demonstrate less faith than demons, demonstrating no fear of God?
James challenges anyone to show his faith without works (see 2:18). Works cannot be dissected from true faith. That is why true saving faith always begins with repentance. And that is precisely why Jesus calls to salvation were so often calls to commitment and obedience. Jesus called people to a faith that was obedient, and to the chagrin of many who would divorce works from faith, Jesus often said nothing at all about faith when He called people to salvation. His true followers would show their faith by their works.
Amazingly, Jesus calls to costly commitment are often shamelessly ignored by professing Christians. Or, if they are acknowledged, are explained away as being calls to a deeper relationship that are supposedly addressed, not to the unsaved, but to those who have already received God' saving grace. Yet, sadly, so many of these believers who claim that Jesus calls to costly commitment are addressed to them rather than the unsaved do not heed His calls as they interpret them.
In their minds, they have the option not to respond in obedience, and they never do.
by: David Servant
In the minds of so many professing Christians, Jesus is Savior but not Lord. a friendly neighbor but not Creator of the Universe. He possesses all love but not all authority. He is our best buddy but not our King of kings and Lord of lords. A jolly good fellow, but not the One before whom every knee shall bow. He is good, but He is not God.
In reality, however, such a Jesus does not exist, and those who are convinced otherwise are the worst kind of idolaters; they have invented a god of their own imagination.
The apostle James repeatedly warned against being deluded by a faith that is void of the works of obedience:
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves....If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless....What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? James 1:22, 26; 2:14
James could not make his point more clear. Faith without works cannot save us. What we believe is revealed by our words and deeds. Moreover, it is possible to deceive our own hearts in this matter and possess a worthless religion.
James continues:
But someone may well say, 'You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?....You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone....For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:18-20, 24, 26
James points out that even demons possess some degree of faith, and their faith is manifested by actions: they shudder in fear. Yet how many professing believers demonstrate less faith than demons, demonstrating no fear of God?
James challenges anyone to show his faith without works (see 2:18). Works cannot be dissected from true faith. That is why true saving faith always begins with repentance. And that is precisely why Jesus calls to salvation were so often calls to commitment and obedience. Jesus called people to a faith that was obedient, and to the chagrin of many who would divorce works from faith, Jesus often said nothing at all about faith when He called people to salvation. His true followers would show their faith by their works.
Amazingly, Jesus calls to costly commitment are often shamelessly ignored by professing Christians. Or, if they are acknowledged, are explained away as being calls to a deeper relationship that are supposedly addressed, not to the unsaved, but to those who have already received God' saving grace. Yet, sadly, so many of these believers who claim that Jesus calls to costly commitment are addressed to them rather than the unsaved do not heed His calls as they interpret them.
In their minds, they have the option not to respond in obedience, and they never do.
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