Blaise Pacal on Jesus

“Jesus is the center of all, the object of all, whoever does not know him, knows nothing aright, either of the world or of himself.”

Ray’s Teton Valley News, 19

What is Important Today? — Joshua 24:15
 
Many people say that they will come to church or live for God when they have the time, or when things calm down in their lives.  We all know that we make time for what we feel is important.  Joshua 24:15 reminds of this, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua reminds the people that they had a choice to make, serve God or not.  I know that we in 2009 do not serve stone gods, but anything that takes priority over God becomes our god.  We all have to determine who and what is important to us.  Who are you following today?

Forgiveness by Faith in God’s Love — Romans 5:8
 
Some people say to me God can never forgive their sin because they have been too bad.  While they do not doubt the existence of God, they just do not think that He really can love them.  Romans 5:8 explains that Christ died for us because we are indeed sinners, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  God saw every person ever born as a sinner needing a Savior.  Therefore, out of love for us, He sent Jesus Christ to die for our sin.  There is NO sin that Christ cannot forgive.  Salvation through Jesus Christ is by faith.  We come to Him in faith recognizing that we are sinners, and asking for forgiveness of our sin.  God loves you enough to for-give your sin no matter what it is.  Will you accept His love and forgiveness today?

Your Pride Will Bring You Down — Proverbs 16:18
 
Our society elevates what is known as the “self-made man.”  People look up to the person who can fight his own battles and stand on his own two feet.  However, this prideful self-sufficient attitude is condemned in the Word of God.  Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”  The real problem with being self-sufficient is that it often causes a person not to rely upon God.  The truth is that whether we like it or not, all of us do need God.  We need Him first of all for Salvation, which only comes when we ask God to forgive us of our sin and trust him as Savior.  We also need Him to give us the strength we need to live our daily lives.  We all make a choice whether we will depend on ourselves or God.  Who are you depending upon today?

One Way — Matthew 7:13-14
 
I hear a lot of people say that they believe in God, but in their own way.  They believe that they can get to Heaven through their good works, or through some other means of their own design.  Matthew 7:13-14 makes it clear that this is not the case, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  Throughout the Bible we learn that the only way to eternal life, Salvation, is through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  One cannot have it through works, membership in a church, or by following a certain religion.  Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Have you put your faith in Christ alone?

God is Worthy of Your Faith — Psalm 104:1
 
No matter what any one says, every person in the world worships something.  This might be a religion, government, or another person.  If you want to know what you worship, simply consider who you trust in to meet your needs.  The Bible makes it clear that we are to worship, trust in, and depend upon God.  While many say they are trusting in God for their Salvation, far fewer lives as though they trust God for their daily lives.  Psalm 104 1 says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.”  The real key to this is to surrender every thing in and about our lives to God, and He will show His power in our lives.  We all know unstable our lives can be.  Will you trust in the only one who is worthy of your faith today?

The Power of Words — Psalm 148:13
 
Most people say that they believe in God.  Many of those same people are quick to say they have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior.  What is sad, however, is that many of those same people do not show any respect for God.  The name of God has become nothing more than a curse word.  The Bible makes it clear in Psalm 148:13 that this should not be the case.  “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.”  This verse makes it clear that when we say we believe in God, we should show it by honoring Him.  The problem is that most people take God, and their relationship with Him so lightly, they just do not stop to think how they talk about Him.  Can people recognize your faith in God by how you speak of Him?

No One is Perfect — Hebrews 13:8
 
One of the primary reasons people give for not attending church is that someone in a church, at some time in their past, offended them.  From then on, they refuse to attend any church.  The problem with this logic is that their focus is on people instead of on Jesus Christ and the Bible.  Hebrews 13:8 days, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”  Jesus has not changed, and He is the reason for coming to church.  You would not stop eating out because of one bad meal in a restaurant, so why stop going to church because of one negative experience.  As a Christian, you need the teaching of the Word of God as well as fellowship with other Christians.  Are you currently attending a Bible preaching church?  If not, please consider visiting the Victor Bible Study.

The Wisdom of the Word of God — Psalm 143:10
 
The Bible has a message just for you.  Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”  Through the Word of God, God shows you His plan and purpose for your life.  Through the Bible, God shows you Who He is.  Through the Bible, God shows you His goodness and love for you.  And through the Bible, God shows how to live in a personal relationship with Him.  These truths do not come through a philosophy or religion of man; they come from God speaking to you through His Word.  The Victor Bible Study exists to help people in the Teton Valley learn what God has to say to them through His Word.  The Word of God contains wisdom of God.  Please let me help you find out what God is saying to you.

God’s Daily Grace — Second Corinthians 12:9
 
Many of us have had the experience of feeling overwhelmed by our circumstances.  We face things that we are not sure how we will ever be able to overcome.  Paul makes a statement about his faith in Second Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  Paul is saying that He is claiming the promised grace of God, thus, he knows that God will lead him through the trials of his life.  Oftentimes, we think of grace only for Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  But as Christians, we can claim the daily grace of God in our lives.  Do you recognize the grace of God in you life and present situation?

Only the Fool Denies God — Psalm 14:1
 
It seems that many in our society have abandoned the idea of personal responsibility be-fore God.  They have decided that they know what is best, and it no longer matters what God or the Bible has to say.  Psalm 14:1 gives a strong description of such behavior, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”  I know that this is a rather harsh description of a person.  However, it fits when a person chooses to deny the existence of God, and their responsibility to Him.  In our area, I do not believe there are many who say there is no God.  However, I have met many who choose to live with little thought of God.  This is still denial of God.  Are you choosing to ignore God by your actions?

Change Begins at Home — Second Chronicles 7:14
 
As a Christian, have you ever wished you could make a real difference in our society?  God gives Israel a promise in Second Chronicles 7:14 that I think would be good for American Christians to also consider.  It says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  As I read this verse, I understand it to mean that if we want to see changes in our nation we must be willing to humble ourselves before God in prayer.  We must be willing to confess our sin, and ask God to make needed changes in our lives.  God works through His people.  If we want God to work in America, we must first allow Him to work in us.

It’s time to speak up on Calvinism in the FBF

Kevin Bauder types out a crucial post for balance in the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship (FBF) movement on the matter of Calvinism.

He writes it better than I would.

New Songs on Jesus! More Songs on Jesus!

Have you or any of your friends been writing new songs on Jesus?

I would like to take a stab at it, too.

Click here.  And tell me what you think.

thinking of heart issues,

et

RCBC Whetstone and Gem Stone Conference 2009

Where:  Red Cliff Bible Camp

When:  Monday – Wednesday (June 15-17)

Cost:  $85 per person

Theme:  Leading with Love

Schedule for the Men’s Whetstone:

Monday, June 15

3-5 pm – Register in Pavilion

Jesus

Listen to what one Jew learned from Hebrews 1:2.

 

Adolf Saphir writes,

All that God has to say unto us is Jesus.

I feel like I am bursting as I am hearing and beholding Him. 

 

Thinking of heart issues,

Todd

Christ: The Answer to All Man’s Problems Concerning Salvation

Miss California has nothing on Miss Idaho

See the pictures!

First, Miss California

Second, Miss Idaho

I needed a good chuckle on this first day of May.  Miss Idaho, you are awsome.

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

Will this new wild bill on the hill help us in Idaho?

What do you think?

I say No to H.R. 980 introduced on May 5, 2009.

C.H. Spurgeon’s First Words at the Tabernacle

An email sent to me from Thomas B. capturing Spurgeon’s words on the Christ:

I would propose that the subject of the ministry in this house, as long as this platform shall stand, & as long as this house shall be frequented by worshippers, shall be the person of JESUS CHRIST.  I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; But if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, “It is Jesus Christ.”  My venerated predecessor, Dr. Gill, has left a Body of Divinity, admirable & excellent in its way; but the Body of Divinity to which I would pin & bind myself for ever, God helping me, is not his system, or any other human treatise, but Christ Jesus, who is the Sum & Substance of the Gospel, who is in himself all theology, the incarnation of every precious truth, the all-glorious personal embodiment of the way, the truth, & the life.

Praising God

A post by Marilyn Peters:

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers…” (Psalm 8:3)

A couple of months ago, my five-year-old grandson, Joel, said, “Grandma, do you know how much I love your cookies?”

“No,” I answered. “How much?”

“One-hundred percent!”

That inspires me to say, Lord, do you know how much I love the things You do? One-hundred percent! I want to have eyes to see, that I may praise Him more. My friend, Barbara Primrose, tells me that once when she flew from Boise to Oregon, the complete circle of a rainbow surrounded the plane. How intense it was! Moreover, the shadow of the aircraft was in the middle of it. Awesome!

Again, she told the story of a man in California who observed a duckling on a river. An eagle also spotted it, and swooped with lightning speed to take it as prey. At just that second, the duck ducked below the water! The eagle again circled and fell toward the little duck. But another eagle also targeted the duck at the same moment, and the two eagles crashed into each other. The first fell dead, the other flew off, somewhat crippled. The duckling just kept swimming, as if nothing had happened. The man who took in this fantastic scenario was amazed that a second man, who sat on the tailgate of his pickup, saw nothing.

Every day we have opportunities to observe what God does, to appreciate a sunset or full moon, crocuses in bloom, or the prancing of Pomeranians on their owners’ leashes. In Costa Rica last month, I prayed to have eyes to see His special creatures. The next day from a bus, I spotted four bright green birds, smaller than a parrot, much larger than parakeets, sitting on a telephone wire. No one else appeared to see them. One morning (when I lived there) as I sauntered down the trail to my thirteen banana trees, I reveled in the beauty of a cloud cover over the valley 2,000 feet below. Nearby about eight parakeets flocked to one of the tall laurel trees. Parakeets often partied in the trees of the central park. Once I caught a glimpse of a hummingbird flitting in and out of the iron-barred windows of a lawyer’s office like a weaver’s shuttle.

I’m thankful for the variety God gives, that we might not get bored with the beauty He creates. Just looking at the sky, there is day and night, sun and moon, stars and planets, but also different colors. Sometimes the sky is grey or blue, or a palette of hues at the dawn. There are mists. The same place looks different when it’s sunny from when it rains or bathed in a robe of new snow. Even clouds constantly change shapes and consistency.

As I take time to laugh at my cat who rolls up in my bathmat like an enchilada with whiskers (while I take a shower), I thank God for the wonder of animals. You are awesome, Lord. I love what You do one-hundred percent! Show me more!