I will hopefully post a link to a YouTube video in this posting. It is by someone with the username hoover4000, and is a performance by the new Gaither Vocal Band. Talk about redemption, grace, and unconditional love. Please take a look.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yixFKKw53g
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Revisiting the Pharisees
Back when my blog was on MySpace, I did a blog titled Modern Day Pharisees. I revisit this tonight, after seeing a story on the news last night and reading in the book of Acts this week. The story on the news (and I know, it's the news- always take it with a grain of salt, because these folks have an agenda) was on a "Christian" TV network based in Charlotte. They have recently completed a $150 million dollar expansion. It's one of these stations that broadcasts guys that say "If you'll sow your seed in our ministry, God will bless you." It turns out, our pockets get lighter, and they get a room expansion on their house.
In Matthew 7, Jesus speaks loudly about these people. "You can identify them by their fruit, that is, the way they act (7:16). Do they act like the New Testament church? Do they share things with other believers? Do they feed the poor in their neighborhood? Wait-do they have a neighborhood? Or do they live on their gated mansions, not giving handouts, praying prayers that bounce back from the ceiling, saying words that they may believe, but do not follow.
Tonight I read the book of Haggai. Check out Haggai 1:4-6: "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Look at what's happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!" (NLT) I believe that ties in quite perfectly with what Jesus was saying.
If you want to support the work of God, if you want fruit to multiply, plant a more local seed. Not all TV preachers are bad. Watch NRB (378 on DirecTV). There are some sound ones on there. But tithe to your church first. After that, find someone hungry in your neighborhood, and get them a meal or groceries. Sponsor a child in a foreign country. Give of yourself, not because the President mandates it, that is socialist. Give because you can and are willing to, that is the capitalist "invisible hand."
When the people that Haggai gave the word of God to began doing His work, he declared he would bless them, and so he did. Through the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, a descendent of David, the line would continue to Jesus. This ended up blessing us all. But beware those who use the name of Jesus to line their own pockets. They may speak well, have great TV hair, and sound like they have a grasp on the Bible. Jesus gives them a somber warning, back in Matthew 7:21 (NLT): "Not everyone who calls out to me 'Lord! Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
In Matthew 7, Jesus speaks loudly about these people. "You can identify them by their fruit, that is, the way they act (7:16). Do they act like the New Testament church? Do they share things with other believers? Do they feed the poor in their neighborhood? Wait-do they have a neighborhood? Or do they live on their gated mansions, not giving handouts, praying prayers that bounce back from the ceiling, saying words that they may believe, but do not follow.
Tonight I read the book of Haggai. Check out Haggai 1:4-6: "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Look at what's happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!" (NLT) I believe that ties in quite perfectly with what Jesus was saying.
If you want to support the work of God, if you want fruit to multiply, plant a more local seed. Not all TV preachers are bad. Watch NRB (378 on DirecTV). There are some sound ones on there. But tithe to your church first. After that, find someone hungry in your neighborhood, and get them a meal or groceries. Sponsor a child in a foreign country. Give of yourself, not because the President mandates it, that is socialist. Give because you can and are willing to, that is the capitalist "invisible hand."
When the people that Haggai gave the word of God to began doing His work, he declared he would bless them, and so he did. Through the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, a descendent of David, the line would continue to Jesus. This ended up blessing us all. But beware those who use the name of Jesus to line their own pockets. They may speak well, have great TV hair, and sound like they have a grasp on the Bible. Jesus gives them a somber warning, back in Matthew 7:21 (NLT): "Not everyone who calls out to me 'Lord! Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
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